Poll: Who is your starting and Back-up QB for the 2025 season?

[RollTide_HTTR]

My gut says Ty is the guy and Mack is the backup with Russell pushing Mack throughout the season. But that's kind of a boring/chalky answer.

So, my more fun guess is that Mack wins the job. He has 3 years in the offense so should know it better than anyone else and I feel like DeBoer wants to get back to using his full playbook after last season. Then I think Ty would be the backup if he sticks around but if not obviously Keelon would be.

Despite his talent I have a very hard time seeing Keelon as the guy. He came in very skinny and can't possibly know the full playbook and I just don't think DeBoer will want to use a significantly trimmed down playbook again. I know he's talented but it's such a big jump to go from HS to College especially for a QB. I'd argue the jump for a QB from HS to College is significantly bigger than College to NFL.

 

[Cruloc]

If its not Simpson / Russell / Mack.....I'll be surprised.

 

[bravo6]

I voted Ty, but there must have been something the coaching staff saw in practice that led them to not play him much.

Or . . .

It could have been to prevent a mutiny or NIL-related.

His lack of playing time could well NOT be ability or performance related.

 

[BamaMoon]

If its not Simpson / Russell / Mack.....I'll be surprised.

I think I know what you are doing (putting them in order) but I also first read it to mean if it's someone other than these three you'll be surprised.

FWIW, if you are putting them in order I probably agree.

 

[Jack Bourbon]

If Simpson doesn't have the job by end of spring practice, surely he transfers. But I think he will and will keep the job for the season.

 

[DzynKingRTR]

I think Ty starts and has a breakout year. I think the backup could change week to week.

 

[Joefus]

I think ts starts the first few games but I think Russell makes a move if he falters. My bets on Russell taking over after a few clunky ts starts

 

[BamaMoon]

I think ts starts the first few games but I think Russell makes a move if he falters. My bets on Russell taking over after a few clunky ts starts

Not that I'd have a problem with Russell taking over if TS falters (because that's the way it should be), BUT, I hope you are wrong because "clunky TS starts" may mean a couple of losses early on. Granted, that's better than losing late in the year, but unless KR is the exception to the rule, playing a true freshman as a starting QB and trying to win a NC is gonna be tough.

Again, best case scenario (IMO) is for TS to do exceptionally well. I think that's our surest/safest way to play ourselves into the CFP and championship picture!

 

[CrimsonTitles]

If Simpson doesn't have the job by end of spring practice, surely he transfers. But I think he will and will keep the job for the season.

Why would he do that? I don't see us having a clear cut winner until August. If he's gonna transfer mid competition, then he's not the right guy anyways.

 

[Joefus]

Not that I'd have a problem with Russell taking over if TS falters (because that's the way it should be), BUT, I hope you are wrong because "clunky TS starts" may mean a couple of losses early on. Granted, that's better than losing late in the year, but unless KR is the exception to the rule, playing a true freshman as a starting QB and trying to win a NC is gonna be tough.

Again, best case scenario (IMO) is for TS to do exceptionally well. I think that's our surest/safest way to play ourselves into the CFP and championship picture!

I mean ts playing exceptionally well would be dope and fine by me! But just a feeling I have

 

[NoNC4Tubs]

Peyton didn't have great mechanics and he wasn't the most athletic QB I've ever seen, but he was a great leader and a fierce competitor. Also very "football smart."

"Omaha" is what made him seem smart...

 

[NoNC4Tubs]

If its not Simpson / Russell / Mack.....I'll be surprised.

Yeah, I'd bet that its ONE of THOSE guys...

 

[Jack Bourbon]

Why would he do that? I don't see us having a clear cut winner until August. If he's gonna transfer mid competition, then he's not the right guy anyways.

Because he's running out of eligibility and has waited his turn a long time now

 

[mrusso]

"Omaha" is what made him seem smart...

I don't think this is correct. I walk around saying that all the time and it doesn't work.

 

[CrimsonTitles]

Because he's running out of eligibility and has waited his turn a long time now

He's still got another year of eligibilty. I think if that were his thinking, then he would've already transferred in the winter window. Most QB battles are not decided until the summer, so it would be unrealistic for him to expect to be named so early. Even if he transferred after spring, there wouldn't be much time to win the job wherever he ended up. Unless he just gets blown out of the competition, his best chance at being a starter this season is to stay put.

If I'm the coach, I don't name any starters until after the spring portal is closed. You can't, in this current climate, because that's just asking to lose people. If they want to leave mid-competition then bye and don't let the door hit you on the way out, because you're not a true competitor.

 

[4Q Basket Case]

I voted Ty for two reasons.

First, my heart. He's been loyal and waited his turn when 99.99% of other QBs in today's world would have bailed. He deserves the spot unless someone else is demonstrably better. IOW, he gets the benefit of any doubt.

Second, my head. It's just tough for a true freshman QB to come in and play championship football from the first game. Too much of a learning curve. That said, I hope Mack and especially Russell get enough reps to climb that learning curve.

 

[CoolBreeze]

I'm pulling for Simpson. Coach's kid and has really stuck it out to play at the Capstone. But anything can happen and in his sophomore season as the head man Coach is under about as much pressure as he ever has been to produce success. If Russell is as advertised and the battle is neck and neck at the end of Spring then we may have a true freshman starting at Alabama come September.

 

[Tidewater]

Or . . .

It could have been to prevent a mutiny or NIL-related.

His lack of playing time could well NOT be ability or performance related.

Maybe. (I'm not trying to pick a fight with you on this), but when Bama is up by several scores in the 3rd quarter, why not play the back-up QB with the entire playbook? I realize the starter needs reps, but so does the backup QB. I doubt there would have been a mutiny in that circumstance.
The fact that the Bama heir-apparent has been in the program three years and only thrown 50 passes shows the folly of not letting the back-up play.

 

[gtgilbert]

Maybe. (I'm not trying to pick a fight with you on this), but when Bama is up by several scores in the 3rd quarter, why not play the back-up QB with the entire playbook? I realize the starter needs reps, but so does the backup QB. I doubt there would have been a mutiny in that circumstance.
The fact that the Bama heir-apparent has been in the program three years and only thrown 50 passes shows the folly of not letting the back-up play.

he-who-shall-not-be-named was trying to pad stats to look better for awards/draft.

 

[Slowpoke Catracho]

Playing time is strictly on the coach. CNS had the same sort of issues with substituting players in my opinion.