Kalen DeBoer butts heads with NFL GM over Ryan Williams transfer rumor..
It didn’t take long for Kalen DeBoer to get pulled into the rumor mill in Tuscaloosa.
Ever since the end of the 2024 season, there’s been a lot of chatter, even rumors about Alabama’s top playmaker Ryan Williams. Things really exploded when an AFC coordinator told NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero that Alabama’s top skill players, including Williams, might have jumped into the transfer portal if quarterback Jalen Milroe had decided to return for another season.
For anyone who believed Williams might’ve been half-out the door last December, the report was an indication that thoes rumors might have had a kernel of truth in them after all. But DeBoer wasn’t having it—and he didn’t tiptoe around his feelings about the narrative either.
Speaking on Sports Radio 93.3 KJR out in Seattle, DeBoer addressed the report head-on and made it clear he wasn’t buying the dramatic version of the story. ”
I think I’ve heard that same quote, and I think the word ‘all’ was used,” he said. “So whenever absolutes are used like that, I kind of question it right there. The words ‘never’ and ‘always’ and ‘all’ — I think that’s a little far-fetched.”
Still, DeBoer’s comments don’t completely shut the door on the idea that some frustration existed.
After all, even though Milroe left for the NFL and avoided testing the waters on a third season at Alabama, six receivers still entered the transfer portal anyway. That movement didn’t necessarily shake the program’s foundation—none of the guys who left were major contributors—but it does suggest there was at least a little bit of instability following Nick Saban’s retirement and DeBoer entering his second season.
But the guys who really matter? They’re still in Tuscaloosa. Ryan Williams is back. Germie Bernard is back. And Miami transfer Isaiah Horton is ready to make an impact. That’s a pretty strong nucleus for whoever ends up winning the starting quarterback job this fall. Whether it’s Ty Simpson (the perceived favorite), Austin Mack, or Keelon Russell, they’ll have no shortage of weapons to work with—something DeBoer made sure to point out.
But, it will be interesting to see how it all plays out.
Ryan Grubb all but confirms who Alabama’s starting QB will be for Week 1
It sure seems like a decision has been made.
We are still more than four months away from Alabama football opening its season against Florida State, but we all learned quite a bit about this team during spring ball. At quarterback, it has become clear who the leader is to win the race.
That’d be Ty Simpson. The signal-caller looked sharp from start to finish during the spring sessions, separating himself over Austin Mack and 5-star true freshman Keelon Russell. While Kalen DeBoer has yet to announce his official starter, Simpson sure has put himself in a strong position to win the job. On Monday, offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb didn’t hold back in saying that if the team had a game tomorrow, Simpson would no question lead the offense out onto the field:
Alabama OC Ryan Grubb: “At the end of the day, if we’re playing a football game tomorrow, Ty Simpson would start. He earned that”
— Nick Kelly (@_NickKelly) April 14, 2025
Ty Simpson has become the clear favorite to be Alabama’s starter Week 1
Mack transferred from Washington to Alabama in hopes of winning the starting job, but right now, Simpson clearly has the upper hand. There was hope that perhaps Russell would play beyond his years and win the QB1 job, as he arrived in Tuscaloosa as a 5-star signee who enrolled early.
However, it’s going to take some time for him to develop and he’s not going to turn into an SEC superstar overnight. Simpson knows the system and he’s been waiting for his opportunity to be the guy for the Tide. Last season, the 6-2, 215-pounder saw limited action, throwing for 167 yards behind Jalen Milroe.
He arrived on campus in 2022 as the nation’s No. 3 QB for his class. Simpson has been paying his dues, waiting patiently for the keys to the offense to be given to him. We could see things change once fall camp gets here, but for now, it looks like the wait is going to end up being worth it for Simpson.
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