The Alabama Crimson Tide has yet to officially select a starting quarterback heading into summer training. Though there are three real options, including Ty Simpson, Austin Mack, and Keelon Russell, the heavy favorite has been Simpson throughout the last several months.
For Head Coach Kalen DeBoer, now entering his second season after a roller coaster of a first year, there is great pressure to get the call right.
“He’s a guy that players, I think, see as a productive quarterback but also one who’s fun to be around, a good dude. He’s got to continue to balance the leadership piece,” DeBoer said via USA Today. “Any quarterback needs to not just be seen as a guy but their guy. That’s what you want. You want someone who, at the quarterback position, everyone will fall in line with and do anything for, because he’s their quarterback.”
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However, DeBoer made it clear that Simpson has not yet won the job.
“That competition continues to happen. We are not where we need to be yet, but Ty certainly has all the traits to win championship games for us,” he said. “I really believe that, but I also believe we have a couple of other quarterbacks who have it in them to do the same thing.”
Although it remains to be seen who will start at the position, it certainly seems like DeBoer feels good about all three of his options, especially the favorite.
Michael Brauner is a Senior Sports Analyst and Contributing Writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP and hear him every weekday morning from 6 to 9 a.m. on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5, available free online.