Everything Alabama OC Ryan Grubb said in final press conference of spring

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb spoke to reporters on Monday, two days after the Crimson Tide concluded its 2025 spring season with an A-Day practice.

Below is everything Grubb said in his second and final press conference of the spring.

Grubb’s opening statement…

“We had a great spring. For us, we were looking for development and for young players to get a lot of reps. That certainly wasn’t any different for this spring here at Alabama. I think we did a good job of getting those guys incorporated both through necessity and opportunity. I thought the guys that pushed them worked on some new things and some new parts of the offense, some wrinkles that we’re trying to get in, which we do every spring, and I thought, for us, the development of that and some other parts of the system that we’re working on were a huge part of that.

“I thought the guys, just right away, their response and commitment, it was really what you think about when you come to Alabama. You’re in a town and a place where this is all that matters. You love it. That was their commitment level. I felt like that was something we’ll be able to build off of every day, just with how the guys showed up and worked and were excited about the next day of practice. Loved that part of it.”

Grubb on the progress of the quarterbacks…

“No questions on the quarterbacks today … I’m messing with you. That would’ve been disappointing, huh?

“I was super happy with all three of them from a competitive standpoint. That’s the first thing you want to see. Do all three guys have the competitive stamina to play the position? If you’re not ready for that type of scrutiny and just the competition level and the mindset you need to have as a quarterback to play, at any level, much less in the SEC and here at Alabama — I think those guys showed that, that competitive stamina every day. 

“As far as development, they all have different strengths and weaknesses that they’re working on. We’re trying to celebrate the strengths and really work on the weaknesses. Obviously, you have a wide range there, from a first-year player in Keelon to a guy like Ty who’s been around the block to a guy who’s in the middle of the road, as far as experience goes, in Austin. From those parameters, how the guys got together and worked together on building their own game, I thought that was really impressive.

“For us, that was the starting point. How do you get each guy to grow each in their individual spots? They did a good job with that.”

Grubb on if only carrying three quarterbacks is the new norm…

“I think that’s probably fair. I would never say no, like we’re never going to have a fourth scholarship quarterback. I think every year is potentially different, as far as where you have guys staggered in their classes and things like that, so you never want to say you can’t have four guys, especially if it’s a unique situation, but for us, the timing and where those guys are at developmentally, you’re in a pretty good spot.”

Grubb on what he learned about the offensive line this spring…

“We have more versatility there than I initially anticipated, and what I mean by that is, Olaus is a guy who got out there and played left tackle almost every day. He certainly had an opportunity at left guard. I think Olaus could play left tackle, I think he could play right tackle, I think he could play left guard. You see a guy like that that’s cleanly able to function from the outside to the inside and you’re really happy about the versatility you can get there. He’s one guy that stood out.

“I thought Kam and Geno were guys that really stood out, as far as guys that could play left guard and right guard, and Geno can play left, right, or center. That part, those three players right there, from an interior standpoint, and man, you feel really excited about where you’re at and where you’re going. Those guys showed up every single day.”

Grubb on wide receiver Rico Scott…

“Good question. Rico, I think the first thing that stood out to me was a very serious kid about his game and very intelligent. And a guy like that that has the ability to play on the outside and then still function in the slot and have a role, you want more guys like that, honestly, that can line up at all three spots. And we’ve always had a few guys like that everywhere I’ve been that are able to — you can get into different spots. It’s one of the things I’ve always thought that we did a good job with our offense as far as moving people around so people can’t just get, ‘Hey, this is where Ryan Williams is every single play. This is where Rico is at.’ And so for Rico to be able to create that versatility and position flex I thought was really big for him.”

Grubb on how he foresees spreading the ball around to six running backs…

“I think last year’s squad would probably tell you six ain’t enough. Running back is a tough position, and that’s a physical position to have to play every day. So I think the development of that spot, even when you feel really good about maybe your top 3-4 guys, you still know there’s an opportunity for the fifth guy. So I think developing the guys behind those top 3-4 is critical.

“I feel really happy with where we’re at. I think obviously Jam is the elder statesman in the room and certainly has the most experience. It was really good for me to see Jam the last couple of scrimmages when we were live. It was the first time I’d seen him out there breaking tackles and just kind of showcasing some of the things that he can do. He’s an extremely bright player, understands pass protection very well.

“And then obviously Rich is a guy that’s played some ball here, as well. A different skillset, a little more just a straight-line, physical runner. But I was surprised, honestly, when Coach G talked to me about Rich, how much pass protection was an issue as far as last year for him, just understanding schematically what was going on. I think Rich put in a lot of time and really improved himself as a pass protector because it surprised me, honestly. When he said that, it kind of caught me off guard. I was like, ‘Wow, I feel like Rich has done a good job of being dialed.’

“And then Daniel Hill, I thought, was one of the guys that maybe stood out as much as anybody this spring. I thought he really did a nice job. Physical runner, very nimble for how big he is. Can stick his foot in the ground and get vertical. Excellent pass-catcher out of the backfield. Showed a lot of toughness throughout spring. I thought he really showed up quite a bit and improved as much as anybody out there.”

Grubb on offensive tackle Arkel Anugwom…

“I thought Arkel really did a nice job. He worked both sides, right and left tackle. I think that was probably new to him. He is young to the game of football in general, so I think as far as a project-type player, that would kind of fit the mold for where he’s at. His commitment level is off the charts. He stays after every practice and tries to work drills. I think for him right now as a developmental player, he is just trying to get his skillset where it needs to be so he can compete consistently.”

Grubb on how Jay Lindsey stepped up in the absence of other tight ends…

“When you say others, you mean all? He did a good job. It was great. Jay, you always look for those type of opportunities where somebody has to make an impact in a tough stage. For Jay to have to step in in that role and really take over after the rest of the guys that went down, he got better. I mean, it was kind of necessity as a mother of invention, right? And for Jay, it certainly was it. And I thought he answered the bell well. I thought for him, pass catching and things like that, you know, being able to separate and find opportunity at the second level was something that he needed to work on and I thought he did a good job with that, you know. I think that Jay can be a run blocker kind of guy like your true anchored Y that gets a couple throws here and there but is kind of that tough guy mentality, and I thought he showed up.”

Grubb on offensive tackle Wilkin Formby…

“Wilkin, one of his things was a physical part, just like any young offensive lineman. Tip of the cap to Dave Ballou and his staff. Nobody does it better anywhere in the country than them. Where Wilkin’s at now compared to where he was at physically last year, there’s a big body of work that’s been done. And I thought even just, if you just take run blocking, Wilkin had to work a ton at pad level, hand placement, just being able to engage people when he, you know, is obviously a longer player. And I thought you could see the physical development with him. He just looked like a different player out there very early on, because my my early impression of Wilkin was just the film that I had seen from last year. And you know, guys like that, you come into a situation like this, and you hope that they’ve made some big strides and and I certainly think Wilkin had done that, and was really happy with where he ended up the spring. He’s got a long ways to go. Still got a ton of work to do. He knows that, and he’s ready to get to work.”

Grubb on incorporating his offense to what had already been installed…

“Quarterbacks, mainly quarterbacks. And I think I mean that in a good sense, in that, you know, the investment with those three guys. What you wanted to see was who were the guys that were going to be able to take in a game plan and function correctly. And so for us, schematically, some of the things that we did, and some of the things that were going to be required of the quarterback this year was a lot — some of the nuances that go with that take a lot of work, and luckily for us, you know, we’ve got a great situation, honestly, like Nick and I have always worked well together, and, you know, being in the room together and being able to coach those guys, and then having the freedom when we feel good about the messages being sent, that it’s everybody’s hearing and getting the same feedback is encouraging. And that’s the part I felt like, you know, we really pushed that room a lot this spring. 

“And, you know, I know everybody wants to know about that position and where things are at. And I would say this: at the end of the day, if we’re playing a football game tomorrow, Ty Simpson would start. And he earned that, okay? And I know that’s the line everybody’s looking for, but that is what he earned. Austin Mack made huge strides, also available reps were the same, you know, and he did a really good job. He came out and developed. Just with some of the nuances and take care of the football and things like that, but Ty showed out a little bit better. And then, honestly, Keelon exceeded my expectations. I think, for a young man his age, he never gave into that opportunity. You know, we challenge him with that — don’t give in to I’m a freshman and this and that. And he didn’t. I say this all the time and I mean it as the biggest compliment, he reminds me so much of Michael Penix, just in his demeanor, you know, he has such a calm demeanor. Sometimes, you know, you need to find the other edge of that and put a little bit of rush on it but he did a great job. And he had a couple days at the end that, you know, I wish he played a little bit better, but, man, I thought he made huge strides.

“Those guys all, you know, Nick did a great job of managing the number of reps for guys, trying to keep the opportunity very equal. And by no means does that mean that we’re playing a game tomorrow. And I think there’s still a lot of work to be done. I think the message really is that, you know, we got to be even better. And the guys, you know, I know that they’ll take that the right way, and they understand those things, but essentially, you know, we’re not gonna be satisfied with the quarterback room until it’s how it’s supposed to be. And it wasn’t perfect this spring, but I thought we were trending the right way the entire time. And so the competitive spirit and the acknowledgement of each other as a competitor in that room was very mature, honestly, you know? And it could have been very different than that. So I’m blessed to work with those guys every day. I’m fired up. We got three really, really good quarterbacks.”

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