What Kalen DeBoer is looking for in a quarterback in 2025: “I want more than just a game manager.”

Kalen DeBoer’s arrival at Alabama has ushered in a new era—one filled with both anticipation and scrutiny. Following the legendary tenure of Nick Saban, DeBoer inherits not just a team, but a tradition. And with that tradition comes sky-high expectations, especially at the quarterback position. As spring practices unfold and the spotlight turns to 2025, DeBoer has made it clear: he’s looking for more than a “game manager.” He wants a quarterback who can lead, elevate, and make plays when it matters most.

But what exactly does that mean in practical terms? What does DeBoer expect from his quarterbacks in a system that helped lead Washington to the College Football Playoff National Championship game last year? To understand his vision, we need to examine DeBoer’s coaching philosophy, his track record with quarterbacks, and what lies ahead for Alabama’s evolving quarterback room.

From Washington to Tuscaloosa: A Proven QB Developer

Before coming to Alabama, DeBoer turned heads nationally with his work at the University of Washington. Under his leadership, Michael Penix Jr. transformed from a talented but injury-plagued quarterback into a Heisman Trophy finalist and the face of one of the nation’s most explosive offenses.

Penix threw for over 4,900 yards and 36 touchdowns in the 2023 season, commanding an offense that was both dynamic and balanced. DeBoer’s system allowed him the freedom to make checks at the line, throw deep with confidence, and use his athleticism to extend plays—not merely manage them.

So it’s no surprise that DeBoer is seeking similar traits in his next quarterback at Alabama.

“We want someone who can lead. Not just manage the game, but win it when it’s on the line,” DeBoer recently said. “I want more than just a game manager. I want someone who can take control, inspire confidence, and make things happen.”

That’s not a shot at past quarterbacks—it’s a message to the future. DeBoer is setting the tone early.

DeBoer’s Ideal Quarterback: More Than a Skillset

DeBoer isn’t just looking at arm strength or 40-yard dash times—he’s focused on a quarterback’s full arsenal: mental processing, leadership, grit, and instinct.

Here’s a breakdown of what he values most:

1. Leadership by Example

For DeBoer, leadership is non-negotiable. He expects his quarterback to command the huddle, set the tempo in practice, and serve as an emotional anchor for the team.

In his own words:

“When the moment’s tense, your quarterback has to calm the storm. He can’t be rattled. He has to lift everyone else.”

That kind of presence isn’t built overnight—it comes through preparation, confidence, and experience.

2. Decision-Making and Processing Speed

One of the most underrated traits in a quarterback is the ability to process defenses quickly. DeBoer wants someone who can read coverages pre-snap, make accurate post-snap decisions, and deliver the ball on time.

At Washington, Penix excelled at finding his second or third read and rarely panicked under pressure. That’s a product of both coaching and the QB’s internal wiring—something DeBoer is watching closely at Alabama.

3. Big-Play Ability

Let’s be clear—DeBoer isn’t looking for a reckless gunslinger. But he is looking for someone who isn’t afraid to take calculated risks. Stretching the field, extending plays with mobility, and converting third-and-longs—these are the areas where a “game manager” becomes a “game changer.”

“When the pocket collapses or things break down, what happens next? That’s where you see who’s really got it,” DeBoer said.

The 2025 Alabama Quarterback Room: A Battle Brewing

Nowhere is DeBoer’s vision more relevant than in the current Alabama quarterback competition. As of spring 2025, the Crimson Tide QB room includes several intriguing options—each with unique strengths and developmental trajectories.

Ty Simpson – The Veteran

Simpson, a redshirt junior, has seen the field in limited action but has yet to fully claim the starting role. He’s shown flashes of talent and mobility but has struggled with consistency at times. DeBoer will be evaluating whether Simpson can take that next step and become not just a reliable presence, but a commanding one.

Austin Mack – The Transfer from Washington

Mack followed DeBoer from Washington, where he was considered one of the top young prospects in the Pac-12. He’s familiar with DeBoer’s offensive system, which could give him an early edge in terms of terminology and expectations.

The key question: Can he handle the pressure of SEC defenses and the intensity of the Alabama spotlight?

Julian Sayin – The Five-Star Wild Card

Sayin, one of the highest-rated quarterback recruits in the country, brings elite arm talent and football IQ to the table. While still young, his raw ability has excited both fans and coaches alike.

DeBoer has hinted that Sayin may not be far from competing, even as a freshman. His ability to grasp the offense quickly could catapult him into the conversation sooner than expected.

Why “Game Manager” Isn’t Enough in Today’s College Football

In an age where explosive offenses dominate and quarterbacks are the centerpiece of virtually every successful program, being a “game manager” is no longer enough. That term used to describe QBs who avoided mistakes and simply executed what was called—no more, no less.

But today, quarterbacks are expected to create opportunities. That means:

• Making off-schedule plays
• Throwing with anticipation and aggression
• Executing RPOs and spread concepts at lightning speed
• Reading complex, disguised defenses

The game has evolved, and DeBoer is coaching to win national championships—not just play clean football. In his system, the quarterback isn’t a passenger; he’s the engine.

The System Will Support the Star

While DeBoer demands a lot from his quarterbacks, he also surrounds them with systems and structures built for success. His offensive playbook blends aggressive vertical concepts with tempo, motion, and space creation.

That means quarterbacks won’t have to carry the team alone. DeBoer uses quick throws, multiple formations, and designed reads to make life easier on his quarterback—but only if that quarterback can process fast and make sharp decisions.

At Alabama, DeBoer also has the luxury of elite wide receivers, a powerful run game, and one of the best offensive lines in the country. Whoever wins the starting job will be positioned to succeed—if they can meet the moment.

Player Development: The DeBoer Edge

DeBoer’s QB success isn’t an accident. His background includes time as a quarterbacks coach, offensive coordinator, and head coach at multiple levels. His quarterbacks have developed significantly under his watch—something recruits and fans should take note of.

From NAIA championships to Pac-12 shootouts to the SEC spotlight, DeBoer has proven time and again that he can prepare quarterbacks for the next level—both in college football and the NFL.

So when he says, “I want more than a game manager,” it’s not a throwaway line. It’s a roadmap. He knows what it takes.

The Pressure of Succeeding Saban

One of the most fascinating elements of DeBoer’s quarterback search is that it comes in the shadow of a dynasty. Nick Saban built a machine at Alabama, and his quarterbacks evolved over time from conservative facilitators to aggressive playmakers like Bryce Young and Tua Tagovailoa.

Now, DeBoer is tasked with continuing that legacy—and maybe even modernizing it further.

“You can’t be afraid to evolve,” DeBoer said. “This is a new chapter, but the standards don’t change.”

That’s why he’s looking for more than a game manager—he’s looking for the next great Alabama quarterback. Someone who can lead in the locker room, light up the scoreboard, and bring home hardware.

Final Thoughts: The Path Forward

Kalen DeBoer isn’t sugarcoating his expectations. In a time of transition, he’s setting the tone. The quarterback of the future at Alabama must be:

• A confident leader
• A cerebral decision-maker
• A dynamic playmaker
• A winner

Those traits go far beyond the “game manager” label. They define the modern quarterback—and the modern Alabama football program.

As fall camp approaches and the quarterback battle intensifies, one thing is clear: whoever rises to the top will have earned it. And whoever starts in 2025 will not be asked to simply manage games—they’ll be asked to win them. And that’s exactly how Kalen DeBoer wants it.