What Ryan Grubb said about all three of Alabama's quarterbacks

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama will have a new starting quarterback in 2025, and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb will help all three develop over the spring, summer and fall.

With Jalen Milroe turning pro, the Crimson Tide will turn to either Ty Simpson, Austin Mack or Keelon Russell behind center this season, but none of them have a ton of experience.

Simpson has seen the most snaps, having served as Milroe’s backup the last three seasons, and given he is in his fourth year in the program – with a fourth different coordinator – it is his job to lose. But Mack has more experience with Grubb, and Russell is the first quarterback to commit to Kalen DeBoer and company. So both will challenge the veteran.

Grubb has now watched all three quarterbacks go through two spring practices, and after the second day of spring camp, gave his thoughts on how the signal-callers have looked.

“I think that they each, just like any quarterback, have their own individual strengths and weaknesses,” Grubb said in his first interview since returning to Alabama. “Ty has done a good job. I thought he had the biggest jump from Day 1 to Day 2, just as far as being able to take in all the information, process quickly and move.

“Austin’s done a really good job of showing command for a young player. And then Keelon is awesome, man. He’s very unflappable. Even when things don’t go right, and they invariably will for a freshman quarterback, I think he’s done an awesome job just kind of staying the course and being very steady, and he can make a lot of plays.”

Alabama has 13 more practices left this spring, but Wednesday was the only time the first-year play-caller will speak to local reporters until August. But the Crimson Tide beat writers made the most of it by asking Grubb about all three quarterbacks in his 10-minute interview.

Grubb on Ty Simpson…

“Ty, like I said, I think he’s really improving. One thing I like and appreciate about Ty already that you can tell is he’s very serious about wanting to succeed. He’s had the mindset that he’s been ready, you know, and he’s been kind of waiting in the wings so to speak. I think for me it’s just, I know he’s committed to the process. I think that’s what makes great quarterbacks. As long as he understands it’s gonna take a little bit, he’s got to be committed to those steps, he’s gonna be great.”

Grubb on Austin Mack…

“I’ve always believed in Austin. He’s got a big upside. I thought he’d really done a good job working on his technique, throwing motion, things like that. I can tell he’s been working hard on it the last year. He’s a very bright kid, I know that he can process the offense. He came into our system really, really young, a 17-year-old freshman. Kind of the thought there was, when we got Austin at Washington, was that he would have six months with Mike Penix and kind of see how it’s supposed to be done. I certainly think he’s gravitated to that. It looks like he’s matured a lot and I’m excited to be with him.”

Grubb on Keelon Russell…

“One of the things I noticed, thinking about Jake Haener way back to Fresno State, he’s with the Saints now– Jake’s got a really whippy, quick release. Once he made his decision, he was very decisive with the ball. See that with (Keelon) a lot. And then Keelon’s vision reminds me of (Penix) a little bit. He has good, wide vision with the field. He can see it even when he doesn’t know exactly what’s going on. So he’s still working through all the processes, but he’ll get there. He’s a good player.”

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