Ryan Grubb shares interesting thoughts on Alabama’s No. 2 quarterback battle between Austin Mack and Keelon Russell
Alabama has its starting quarterback, but who’s going to back up Ty Simpson when the Crimson Tide roll into the season opener against Florida State?
Alabama has its starting quarterback in redshirt junior Ty Simpson. That decision was made on Monday, but there are two other guys who round out that room in third-year player Austin Mack and true freshman Keelon Russell.
Obviously, the quarterback battle is over in a way. Simpson will be the one leading the charge against Florida State on Aug. 30, but you never know what might happen. For Mack and Russell, there’s a need to stay ready, which is something Alabama offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb alluded to during his media availability on Tuesday.
“They have to continue to progress,” Grubb said when asked about Mack and Russell. “For quarterbacks in general, any position is tough, but the development of a quarterback to continue to move forward during a season is the toughest thing. That’s the thing, you have to find ways to generate both coaching staff-wise to create looks and opportunities so those guys don’t just pause.
“Young quarterbacks that are really talented like Austin and Keelon, what we don’t want is that the starter is named and all this improvement that they’ve been making to this point just comes to a screeching halt. That part they totally understood. I know they’re up to the task, and I think a huge part of that are the relationships, the bond that’s been built in that room.
“I told the guys, I thought one of the things that stood out to me the most about that room was that there never was this feeling of somebody conceding. So like, ‘Oh, Ty’s gonna be the guy.’ There was never an approach by any of the three guys that it was like, it’s him or him. At the same time, it was all organic. Guys were able to focus on their job and just be the best quarterback they can be.
“I think they all developed because of the type of room that we have. Tip of the cap to those guys. I don’t think that’s coaching, I think that’s just guys doing a really good job of focusing on themselves. I think Austin and Keelon will be up to that.”
Russell is an uber-talented five-star that fans are excited to see in the future, but they both possess God-given abilities. Mack is a 6-foot-6, 235-pound quarterback who should only be going into his second year of college, but he reclassified and joined Kalen DeBoer and Grubb at Washington prior to the 2023 season.
The physical tools are there, same as Russell. Maybe the ceiling isn’t quite as high as the Duncanville (Tex.) native, but Mack brings size, mobility and a big arm. And with all of the Crimson Tide quarterbacks cutting down on turnovers in fall camp, that reflects as well on Mack as anyone. Why? Well, that was a big issue for the young signal-caller back in the spring, so with the turnovers starting to get in check, it makes him all the more interesting for the future.
With that being said, Russell is a rare talent. He was ranked as the No. 2 high school recruit for a reason, and so far, that talent has translated to the college level. Really, it’s all about getting him more comfortable playing in a new offense and facing stiffer competition. Reps are critical at this stage, which is also something Grubb alluded to on Tuesday.
“Coach (Nick) Sheridan and Coach DeBoer did a phenomenal job recruiting him,” Grubb said of Russell. “I thought their assessment when I got here was spot on. Very composed player for a young player. Even when it’s not perfect and things aren’t going his way, I think he’s able to just slow the game down. I think that’s something that is somewhat innate that he can just do.
“I think when you can build and you continue to build on the knowledge base and understanding of the system, he’ll just keep getting better. He’s a really, really calm excellent player with great vision.”
As far as whose being positioned to be Alabama’s No. 2 quarterback to start the season, Grubb isn’t quite ready to make that decision.
“We’re still working through all that,” Grubb to reporters. “I think you’d be pigeonholing yourself a little bit on reps and opportunity for both of those guys to get better.”
Time will tell.
