What will happen to Alabama football’s quarterback room in 2025 now that Jalen Milroe is leaving for the NFL?
The quarterback room at Alabama football is no longer occupied by Jalen Milroe. However, he knows more about what the Crimson Tide will have in 2025 than most people do.
“When you have guys who love it as well, it’s nothing but passion that’s poured into the football field,” Milroe stated on November 19. “That’s what we have.”
Following Milroe’s announcement that he will forego his last season of NCAA eligibility and declare for the 2025 NFL Draft, one will assume leadership of Alabama going into the 2025 season.
Before the Crimson Tide’s 2025 season opening versus Florida State, let’s take a look at each of their three scholarship possibilities and what they can offer.
Alabama football QB Ty Simpson
Ty Simpson, who previously backed up Bryce Young and Milroe, may now be given the opportunity to showcase his abilities. He signed with Alabama as the No. 26 player and No. 3 quarterback in the 2022 class, trailing only Cade Klubnik (Clemson) and Conner Weigman (Texas A&M).
Simpson, the Tennessee Gatorade Player of the Year, was unstoppable in high school, racking up 2,827 passing yards, 862 rushing yards, 52 total touchdowns, and three interceptions.
Simpson hasn’t had much of an opportunity to showcase his abilities in three seasons with the Crimson Tide. He has 381 career throwing yards on 50 pass attempts, 130 yards rushing on 22 runs, and three rushing touchdowns.
But he is someone Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer has complimented for his ability to escape a collapsing pocket and prolong plays, as well as his passing ability.
“Everyone focuses on Jalen’s running ability, but Ty is also a tough runner,” DeBoer said after the Mercer game on November 16.
Alabama quarterback Austin Mack
Austin Mack, DeBoer’s hand-picked quarterback at Washington, committed to the Huskies as the No. 230 prospect and No. 16 quarterback in the 2023 class.
After redshirting his first collegiate season at Washington after reclassifying, Mack became Alabama’s first transfer in the DeBoer era.
The 6-foot-6, 236-pound quarterback from Loomis, California, finished his senior year of high school with 40 touchdowns and almost 3,500 passing yards.
When Mack hit Rico Scott on a 31-yard touchdown pass against Mercer, he demonstrated that arm talent.
QB Keelon Russell of Alabama
Since Young, Keelon Russell has been the most highly regarded quarterback to sign with Alabama. And he can show it with the numbers.
As a junior, Russell completed slightly more than 74% of his 243 throw attempts for 3,267 yards passing, 35 passing touchdowns, and three interceptions while playing for Duncanville, a Texas high school football powerhouse, according to MaxPreps. He also scored four running touchdowns and 304 yards of rushing. A year later, he passed for 3,874 yards, 53 passing touchdowns, and four interceptions, completing almost 70% of his attempts.
“The defenses and things you see, because everyone’s trying to beat Duncanville,” said Mike Arogbonlo, former Duncanville quarterbacks coach. “By the time you get to the college level, you’re pretty much like a sophomore already as a freshman.”
Alabama regards Russell as the greatest quarterback in the 2025 class, having signed him after he had previously committed to SMU.
Russell, based on Young’s path, could contend for starting quarterback reps nearly right away.
