On Thursday afternoon, the Alabama Crimson Tide officially received news that two-year starting quarterback Jalen Milroe would be foregoing his final season of collegiate eligibility in order to enter the 2025 NFL draft.
Because of this, Alabama now enters the offseason with a question mark at quarterback, and will have a competition at the position leading into spring surrounding who replaces Milroe next season.
However, just which names will be in that competition, and is there a name in particular that you could make an argument is the potential favorite going into the offseason?
Here are the remaining members of Alabama’s 2025 quarterback room after Milroe’s decision to enter the NFL draft, as well as what each has done up to this point in their Crimson Tide career’s.
Ty Simpson, Redshirt Junior
Easily the most experienced member of Alabama’s quarterback room is now Ty Simpson, a former five-star prospect who will be entering his redshirt junior season in 2025. Arguably the early favorite to start based on his past experience, as well as through the fact that he was Milroe’s primary backup the past two seasons, Simpson has completed 29-of-50 passes for 381 yards over the last three years combined, while also having rushed for 130 yards and three touchdowns on 22 attempts.
Austin Mack, Redshirt Sophomore
The lone other returning member of Alabama’s 2024 quarterback room in 2025 will be Austin Mack, as Dylan Lonergan previously transferred to Boston College earlier this offseason. Mack, a former four-star prospect who transferred to Alabama from Washington last offseason, will be entering his redshirt sophomore season in 2025, and does not have as much experienced when compared to Simpson, completing only 2-of-3 passes for 39 yards and a touchdown this past fall.
Keelon Russell, Freshman
The lone incoming player in Alabama’s 2025 quarterback room currently is Keelon Russell, an incoming true freshman who is one of the highest-rated commits in program history at the position. Russell, a five-star prospect, ranks as the nation’s No. 2 overall player in the 2025 class out of Duncanville High School in Texas, and has the talent to win the job from day one.
Alabama also has two walk-on’s at the position in rising senior Cade Carruth and sophomore John Cooper, but it is very likely that Alabama’s 2025 starter at quarterback comes from the three names above.