With Alabama basketball about to play in the Sweet 16 in his home state of New Jersey, Alabama football offensive lineman Geno VanDeMark was asked a simple question: Who would be in his starting five in basketball on the Crimson Tide football roster?
To start, VanDeMark said it was all going to be offensive linemen, rattling off Kadyn Proctor , Wilkin Formby almost immediately. He added Olaus Alinen, questioning if "they have basketball in Finland," and Billy Roby as his ball distributor and floor general.
But VanDeMark needed one more spot. And he didn't put himself.
"I'll throw Ty Simpson in there," VanDeMark said.
Ty Simpson is currently in a three-man quarterback battle to take Jalen Milroe's place for the Crimson Tide this fall along with Austin Mack and Keelon Russell .
And while VanDeMark said "all three guys are doing really great right now," Simpson stands out.
"For Ty, I think it's his veteran aspect. He's relaxed out there - so is Mack too," VanDeMark said. "You can tell it's not really getting to him in terms of getting all nervous or anything."
Simpson has the most experience currently in Alabama 's quarterback room, albeit slim. He has 50 pass attempts and 381 yards passing. He has three rushing touchdowns in three seasons, but does not have a collegiate passing touchdown.
VanDeMark was also extremely complimentary of Keelon Russell, the Texas five-star who is the highest-rated quarterback signee since Bryce Young.
"He throws a really pretty football, he goes about it the right way," VanDeMark said. "He's a young guy with confidence, yes, but not arrogance. I think he's doing some really good things."
As the backup center behind Parker Brailsford, VanDeMark would know about the state of the quarterback room. And he remains impressed with all three options.
"I like all three guys, man," VanDeMark said. "They are all really good people and look forward to being with them."
But VanDeMark has only one of those three in his basketball starting five.
Alabama will end its spring practice schedule at noon April 12 at Bryant-Denny Stadium with its annual A Day spring game.
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: Geno VanDeMark has Ty Simpson in Alabama football 'starting five' in basketball
