Breaking Down the Alabama Quarterback Race: How Each Contender Could Win the Starting Job in 2025

The Alabama Crimson Tide enter a new chapter in 2025 with head coach Kalen DeBoer at the helm, a fresh offensive scheme, and a wide-open quarterback competition that has fans and analysts buzzing across the college football landscape. With Jalen Milroe returning after an explosive 2024 campaign, Ty Simpson still in the mix, and redshirt freshman Dylan Lonergan pushing for his shot, the quarterback room is both talented and crowded.

DeBoer, known for his quarterback-friendly offenses, will be carefully evaluating each candidate through spring, summer, and into fall camp. No starter has been named, and for good reason. All three bring different strengths to the table. Here’s how each quarterback could earn the starting job for Alabama in 2025.

Jalen Milroe: The Returning Star With Playmaking Power

Jalen Milroe enters 2025 as the most experienced option. In 2024, he led Alabama to an SEC Championship and a College Football Playoff berth, showcasing his elite athleticism, deep-ball capability, and raw competitive drive. Milroe threw for over 2,800 yards and 27 touchdowns while rushing for nearly 600 yards and 10 scores, cementing himself as one of the most dynamic dual-threat quarterbacks in the country.

So why isn’t he a lock to start?

While Milroe made clear strides as a passer, particularly down the stretch in 2024, questions remain about his consistency in the short-to-intermediate passing game and decision-making under pressure. Kalen DeBoer’s offense emphasizes timing, rhythm, and ball placement—areas where Milroe still has room to grow.

Path to QB1:
If Milroe can show marked improvement in his command of DeBoer’s system and deliver consistency with quick, accurate reads, he’ll be difficult to unseat. His explosive playmaking ability makes him a threat to score on any snap, and if he blends that with polish in the passing game, the job may remain his. His leadership, experience, and locker room presence are additional edges that could tip the scales in his favor.

Ty Simpson: The Former Five-Star With NFL Traits

Ty Simpson came to Tuscaloosa with immense hype as a five-star recruit, and while he’s yet to secure the starting role, he’s steadily developed in the background. At 6-foot-2 and over 200 pounds, Simpson has prototypical size, a quick release, and perhaps the best pure arm talent on the roster.

In limited appearances in 2023 and 2024, Simpson showed flashes of brilliance, particularly with his ability to make off-platform throws and fit the ball into tight windows. But those flashes have yet to translate into consistent production.

With a new offensive staff in place, Simpson has a clean slate. DeBoer and OC Nick Sheridan could see in him a quarterback who fits their mold—cerebral, accurate, and able to manipulate defenses with his eyes.

Path to QB1:
For Simpson to win the job, he needs to prove he can protect the football and run the offense with precision. He must outshine Milroe and Lonergan in scrimmages by showing a mastery of reads and the ability to move the chains consistently. If Alabama wants a more traditional, pro-style signal-caller with a high ceiling and NFL projection, Simpson could be the pick. His ability to stretch the field and read defenses pre-snap might be the perfect match for DeBoer’s playbook.

Dylan Lonergan: The Redshirt Freshman With Poise Beyond His Years

Dylan Lonergan is the wildcard in the competition, but not one to be overlooked. A highly rated recruit from Georgia, Lonergan redshirted in 2024 and used the year to soak up the playbook, improve physically, and refine his game. What has impressed coaches most is his maturity, quick decision-making, and calm demeanor under pressure.

Lonergan doesn’t have the in-game experience of Milroe or Simpson, but he may be the most fundamentally sound passer of the trio. He’s accurate at all levels, shows great anticipation, and makes quick decisions—skills that DeBoer values highly.

While he lacks the top-end athleticism of Milroe, he’s mobile enough to extend plays and keep defenses honest. Lonergan’s deep understanding of the offense and calm command in the huddle have already turned heads during spring practices.

Path to QB1:
Lonergan will need to absolutely light up fall camp to leapfrog both veterans, but it’s possible. His best chance comes if he can show a higher level of execution in DeBoer’s system than Milroe or Simpson. If he minimizes mistakes, keeps the offense on schedule, and builds strong rapport with receivers, he could make a compelling case. The coaching staff might see him as the best long-term fit and choose to start building the future right away.

The Importance of the Right Fit

With a new staff, Alabama isn’t tied to any past loyalties. This isn’t about who started last year or who had the most stars in high school—it’s about who best fits what Kalen DeBoer wants to do. That gives each quarterback a real shot, and it’s why the decision likely won’t come until deep into August.

DeBoer’s offense, which powered Washington to the national title game in 2023, relies on quick reads, precision passing, and spreading the field. He’s worked with different types of quarterbacks and tailored his schemes to their strengths. That flexibility means Milroe, Simpson, and Lonergan are all viable options—but it also means execution, not style, will ultimately determine who wins the job.

Key Areas to Watch This Summer

As the competition heats up, here are the key traits and performances that will likely influence the coaching staff’s decision:

• Decision-Making Under Pressure: Turnovers kill drives. The quarterback who makes the fewest mistakes may rise quickly.

• Mastery of the Playbook: DeBoer’s system requires fast processing. Whoever knows it best will separate.

• Consistency in Practice: Splash plays are great, but sustained excellence will win out.

• Chemistry with Receivers: Building trust with the Tide’s dynamic receiving corps—including emerging stars like Ryan Williams—will matter.

• Leadership and Command: Teammates naturally gravitate toward a strong leader. Coaches will watch who commands respect in the huddle and on the sideline.

What’s at Stake

This isn’t just about a starting job—it’s about the identity of Alabama football moving forward. In the post-Saban era, DeBoer’s first QB pick will be symbolic. It will define the tone of his tenure and the direction of the offense. It could also impact the long-term development of the roster. Pick the right leader now, and it sets up the program for stability. Pick the wrong one, and you risk early turbulence in a season with SEC and Playoff implications.

All three quarterbacks know what’s at stake, and all are preparing as if the job is theirs. That mindset, combined with the open competition, should produce a sharper, more focused group come fall.

Alabama’s quarterback battle isn’t a problem—it’s a luxury. While many programs struggle to find one competent starter, the Tide have three quarterbacks with legitimate claims to the throne. Each offers a unique blend of skills and upside, and each has a path to QB1 in 2025.

Whether it’s Milroe’s dynamism, Simpson’s arm talent, or Lonergan’s poise, the competition promises to make Alabama better at the position than it’s been in years. The choice won’t be easy, but it will be deliberate. And no matter who wins the job, they’ll be stepping into one of the most high-profile roles in all of college football—with national championship aspirations and a chance to define a new era in Tuscaloosa.