Alabama Crimson Tide's likely QB1 Ty Simpson could just be bridge QB until Keelon Russell is ready

Ty Simpson has a strong shot at becoming Alabama's next QB starter, but retaining that position in the long run would be a whole other struggle. The question isn't whether Simpson will get the QB1 role.

He most likely will.

The real question is for how long he can keep himself the Crimson Tide's long-term starter and simultaneously keep the future of Alabama, Keelon Russell, at bay. 

The dazzling freshman QB Keelon Russell also has a strong shot at usurping the role from Simpson later in the 2025 season or in the next season. 

"I think there is an element of that, right. Where it's more like 'Hey man, you've got the most experience of this current three-man QB battle'. I don't know if he won it through the spring ball, but he definitely didn't lose it," Budd Elliott's podcast guest explained. 

"I do think Simpson will ultimately end up being the starter. Whether he holds that starting job all year long, that might be dictated based on some early-season results, the continued growth and progress of Keelon Russell. Like he's (Keelon Russell's) very clearly the future. The question is whether the future arrives this season, or does it arrive next season right. Keelon's gonna be the guy at some point."

It doesn't mean that DeBoer and Grubb would switch to Russell the moment Simpson starts falling apart. Simpson will likely get at least a few bad games and equal chances to improve. 

DeBoer and Grubb know the stakes would be high for whoever they choose to be the Tide's starter. They will aim for stability in that role, giving Simpson another breather.

That said, DeBoer needs a winning Year 2, one that most likely ends in the College Football Playoffs and not in the regular season. If getting there takes changing the gears mid-way, DeBoer will not hesitate.