Ryan Grubb didn't hide where the Alabama football quarterback position stands post spring ball.
If the Crimson Tide were heading to Tallahassee, Florida, to face Florida State tomorrow, he said, Ty Simpson would be the starter. Plain and simple.
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But it's not because of a lack of production. Grubb said he has been "super happy" with Simpson, Austin Mack and Keelon Russell in the quarterback room this spring. What Grubb is looking for is the quarterback who can "take in a game plan and function correctly." For now, that's Simpson. But both Grubb and head coach Kalen DeBoer laid out the plan for Mack and Russell to take that next step this summer into the fall.
"If you're not ready for the scrutiny or just the competition level, the mindset you need to have at quarterback to play at any level, much less the SEC or at Alabama , I think that those guys showed that, that they can lead this team every day," Grubb said.
Mack isn't the brand new quarterback. He isn't Simpson either who Grubb said has "been around the block."
But in Mack, Grubb sees a quarterback who has made "huge strides."
"He came out and developed just with some of the nuances and taking care of the football, and things like that," Grubb said. "Ty showed out a bit better."
DeBoer said Mack is one of two quarterbacks, along with Simpson, who "knows the system" well.
In the spring game, Mack threw multiple interceptions and struggled with his accuracy in 7-on-7 reps.
Mack also has one thing the rest of the quarterback room doesn't: a collegiate touchdown pass.
Russell is still learning the system, DeBoer said. But the Alabama coach said he's seen glimpses of what made Russell Alabama's highest-rated quarterback signee since Bryce Young .
"He had some really big days," DeBoer said. "You saw a lot of flashes of what he's capable of."
Russell, DeBoer said, balanced those big days with some "big mistakes."
"It's growth, it's learning," DeBoer said. "He's in it. He's the same guy every single day. That's what you love about him. Just consistency. He's going to be a guy where you can attack a defense, and I think all of our quarterbacks have that ability with their arm to get after the opponent."
Russell continues to remind Grubb of Michael Penix Jr. because of the freshman's demeanor and his calmness.
"Honestly, Keelon, he exceeded my expectations," Grubb said. "A young man his age, he never gave into that opportunity. We challenged him with that: 'Don't give in to I'm a freshman. ...' He didn't do that."
Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cgay@gannett.com or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Next steps for Austin Mack, Keelon Russell in Alabama football QB room
