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Kalen DeBoer breaks down QB play, rep distribution after Alabama's second scrimmage

1918632_10206777287683070_1367905321192383146_nby:Charlie Potter•04/04/25•

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Alabama quarterbacks
Alabama QBs Austin Mack, Ty Simpson and Keelon Russell (Courtesy of UA Athletics)

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama held its second spring scrimmage on Friday, which featured 115 plays. The first and second teams each played 50 snaps, while the threes received 15.

That was the same number of plays as the first scrimmage. And much like scrimmage No. 1, no stats were released. But Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer was quickly asked about how Ty Simpson, Austin Mack and Keelon Russell performed in the game-like practice.

“They’re all three making throws, making some big-time throws,” DeBoer said. “I thought they all moved the chains at times when they maybe had their backs to the wall. Maybe some 2nd- and 3rd-and-Long situations where they found a way to make a big throw. Obviously, someone’s got to catch it, too. 

“There’s just, I think, continue to be trust, I think, with the offensive line, and it’s gotta go the other way, too. The offensive line, just getting used to cadences and getting used to what that guy does. Does he usually break to the outside and scramble? I mean, some guys just have those type of instinctual things they do, and they’re all a little bit different. 

“But receivers, I think, it really doesn’t matter who’s throwing to them. I think all three of those guys throw a catchable ball. It’s just a matter of who can move us up and down the field.”

Simpson is the veteran of the group, having been Jalen Milroe’s backup for the last two years, and some have said he has “firm control” of the No. 1 job after 10 spring practices. But Mack and Russell have had their moments this spring, as well, and that continued on Friday. Simpson and Mack received most of the first-team reps, but Russell also saw some.

After the second scrimmage, DeBoer was asked how the reps were broken up, and while the newcomer is third in the pecking order at the moment, he isn’t out of the quarterback race.

“I don’t want to say it was even across the board, but they all kind of got their shot with the ones and twos, especially (Simpson and Mack) just because they’re older,” DeBoer said. “Keelon is doing a great job, but with Ty and Austin. Keelon definitely works in with the twos. He’ll get one reps from time to time, but that’s no indication of really where we feel he’s at. 

“He’s killing it. He’s doing a great job. You can see when he’s out there, he’s getting more and more comfortable, comfortable moving the ball down the field. When there’s a throw to be made, he’ll make the throw, that’s for sure. So just the learning curve I think that comes along with being young. 

“But those other two guys, a little bit more as far as understanding the offense, and you’re trying to continue to install things, and they have a grasp of the basics from Day 1. So you can do just a few more things.”

Alabama will return to the field on Tuesday, April 8, for its 12th practice of spring camp.

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