As Alabama football resumes its spring practice period, Kalen DeBoer made it clearly obvious that Jalen Milroe is the starting quarterback. His words about the quarterback position suggest a solid plan for the future.
However, they raise concerns regarding the remainder of the depth chart.
DeBoer, in his first year as Nick Saban’s successor, will continue to work with Milroe. The redshirt sophomore is the current starter, having led the Crimson Tide to the College Football Playoff last season. That hasn’t changed. He continues to lead the pack.
Jalen has taken every photo with the ones this spring. He’s simply an established professional who did an excellent job last year. Leading a football team to the semifinals is not easy. He’s done wonderful things, including winning a conference championship, and that was in the Southeastern Conference.
There is a lot of excitement about the top returning Heisman Trophy vote-getter from last year. Milroe passed for 2,834 yards and 23 touchdowns, with only six interceptions and a 65.8% completion rate in 12 games.
DeBoer sees no reason why he can’t improve even more this fall, even while other excellent signal-callers keep him on his toes.
Barring unforeseen circumstance, Milroe will be the starting quarterback again in 2024.
Where does that leave Ty Simpson and Dylan Lonergan? What about Austin Mack?
An exodus feels inevitable at Alabama.
Of course, only one quarterback can start at any given time. Milroe is likely to declare for the NFL Draft after this year, which opens up opportunities for his replacement—if they are willing to wait that long.
“If” is the important word.
Ty Simpson will be a redshirt sophomore this fall. The former five-star recruit’s performance against USF was one of the most important moments in the Crimson Tide’s College Football Playoff journey.
Dylan Lonergan, a four-star recruit in the Class of 2023, will be a redshirt freshman. He has lots of time to improve because his road to playing time is unclear.
However, immediately behind him comes Austin Mack. DeBoer brought him to Tuscaloosa as the tallest signal-caller in the group after recruiting him as a four-star recruit at Washington.
It appears implausible that all four players will choose to remain on the congested roster.
Mack just moved south. Milroe is the starter. They are not going anywhere.
Where does this leave Simpson and Lonergan?
We’ll find out when the next transfer portal window opens in April.
