The post-Saban era in Tuscaloosa has been a wild ride already. Honestly, if you told a Bama fan three years ago that the Tide would be coming off a season where they lost to Vanderbilt and Oklahoma, they’d probably ask which alternate reality you stepped out of. But here we are. With Jalen Milroe officially off to the Seattle Seahawks as a third-round pick, the conversation has shifted entirely to the Alabama football quarterback 2025 situation.
It’s not just about filling a spot on the depth chart. It’s about identity.
Kalen DeBoer and offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan are looking for someone who can operate the "Husky" offense—that high-flying, air-raid-adjacent system that made Michael Penix Jr. a household name. For a while, everyone thought Ty Simpson was the heir apparent. He waited his turn, didn't bolt for the portal, and basically did everything "the right way."
The Ty Simpson Era That Almost Was
Ty Simpson did exactly what he was supposed to do in 2025. He won the starting job in August, beating out the younger guys through sheer veteran presence and a deep understanding of the playbook. He put up numbers, too—over 3,500 passing yards and 28 touchdowns. He led Alabama to an 11-4 record and a CFP quarterfinal appearance.
But the ending was... well, it was a bit of a thud.
👉 See also: Tottenham vs FC Barcelona: Why This Matchup Still Matters in 2026
The 38-3 loss to Indiana in the Rose Bowl was a wake-up call. Simpson took a massive hit, struggled to get the offense moving, and the game felt like a changing of the guard. Fast forward to January 2026, and Simpson has officially signed his paperwork for the NFL Draft. He even turned down a massive $6.5 million NIL offer to stay in college and transfer to schools like Miami or Tennessee. He chose his Alabama legacy over the bag. Respect.
Who is the Alabama Football Quarterback 2025 Long-Term Answer?
With Simpson gone, the room is officially "the kids' room." This is where things get interesting for the 2026 season and looking back at how the 2025 depth chart actually functioned.
- Austin Mack: The redshirt sophomore who followed DeBoer from Washington. He’s 6'6", has a cannon for an arm, and according to the coaching staff, is the "best pure thrower" in the building.
- Keelon Russell: The five-star true freshman from Duncanville. He’s the one everyone is whispering about. He’s got "the juice."
- The Depth Pieces: Guys like Cade Carruth and John Gazzaniga provide bodies, but they aren't the ones the boosters are talking about at Dreamland BBQ.
Keelon Russell isn't your typical freshman. He flipped from SMU, arrived as an early enrollee, and spent all of 2025 breathing down Ty Simpson's neck. While Simpson was the guy on Saturdays, the practice reports consistently mentioned Russell’s ability to diagnose complex coverages that usually baffle 18-year-olds.
Why Austin Mack is the Tactical Choice
If you like the "prototypical" quarterback, Mack is your guy. He knows the system inside and out because he lived it at Washington before the move. He’s massive. When he stepped in for Simpson during the Eastern Illinois game in 2025, he didn't look like a backup. He led two scoring drives and even tucked the ball for a 20-yard rushing touchdown.
✨ Don't miss: Buddy Hield Sacramento Kings: What Really Happened Behind the Scenes
The problem? He’s been the bridesmaid twice now. He sat behind Milroe, then he sat behind Simpson. At some point, you have to wonder if the staff sees him as a high-floor "bridge" or a legitimate ceiling-raiser.
The Shift in Offensive Philosophy
Under Milroe, Alabama was a vertical threat team that relied on his elite athleticism to bail out broken plays. It was exciting, but it was also inconsistent. 2024 showed that when the running game stalled, the offense lived and died by the deep ball to Ryan Williams.
The 2025 season under Simpson was different. It was more rhythmic. More "pro-style." But moving into 2026, with the 2025 recruits now having a year of weight room time, DeBoer is likely to lean even harder into the spread.
The 2025 roster lost a lot of talent to the portal—Justice Haynes went to Michigan, Kendrick Law went to Kentucky—but it also gained. They brought in receivers like Isaiah Horton from the portal and kept the superstar Ryan Williams. The next quarterback doesn't need to be a hero; they just need to be a distributor.
🔗 Read more: Why the March Madness 2022 Bracket Still Haunts Your Sports Betting Group Chat
What Fans Get Wrong About the 2025 QB Race
Most people think the "best" player always starts. That's not how it works at Alabama.
Simpson started in 2025 because he could set the protections and make the checks at the line. Keelon Russell might have been more talented, but a freshman mistake in the SEC turns into a defensive touchdown real quick.
However, the "safe" play didn't win a natty in 2025. That’s why the pressure is on for 2026. The fan base is restless. They saw Indiana—Indiana—blow them out in the playoffs. They want the high-ceiling guy. They want the next Bryce Young, not the next steady game manager.
Key Takeaways for the Future
If you're tracking the Alabama football quarterback 2025 transition, keep these specific points in mind:
- The Keelon Russell Factor: He is the highest-rated QB recruit since Bryce Young. If he doesn't start the 2026 opener, expect a very short leash for whoever does.
- Roster Stability: Despite the portal era, DeBoer has managed to keep the QB room mostly intact. Losing Simpson to the NFL is a "good" problem because it shows the system develops pro talent.
- The "Air Raid" Evolution: Expect fewer designed QB runs and more quick-game processing. The days of the QB leading the team in rushing (like Milroe did) are likely over.
- NIL Pressures: The fact that Simpson turned down $6.5 million shows that Alabama's "brand" still carries weight, but it also highlights how expensive it is to keep a top-tier QB in the current landscape.
The biggest mistake you can make is assuming the 2026 starter is a lock. Spring ball is going to be a bloodbath between Mack and Russell. Mack has the experience and the size, but Russell has that unteachable "it" factor that usually wins out in the modern game.
Next Steps for Bama Fans: Keep a close eye on the A-Day spring game rosters. Specifically, watch how many "live" reps Keelon Russell gets with the first-team offensive line. If he's taking 50% or more of those snaps, the era of the freshman phenom is officially upon us. You should also track the transfer portal window in April; if Austin Mack stays put, it means he thinks he has a real shot. If he leaves, it's the Keelon Russell show from day one.