Alabama football held a scrimmage on Thursday as it continued spring football. The Crimson Tide is still in the midst of a quarterback battle, with three possible replacements for Jalen Milroe.

UA head coach Kalen DeBoer spoke to reporters after the scrimmage, and was asked whether any of Ty Simpson, Austin Mack or Keelon Russell have begun to separate themselves from the pack.

“I think it’s pretty consistent from where it was at the beginning,” DeBoer said. “They all bring something a little bit different to the table, even though it’s not like a runner and then a passer, it’s guys doing their thing and what their strengths are. Catchable balls and things like that, that they do really well.

“Making, maybe field throws, one guy does that a little bit more. One does a little better job of scrambling, so I think they’re all learning from each other though, and taking something from each other’s game and applying it to theirs and seeing that, there’s always a way to make this play happen or that play happen. I thought they did a good job keeping their eyes down field and and hit some explosives and kept the chains moving on some third and fourth downs that were critical. That shows good composure.”

Simpson returns for his third season with the Crimson Tide after serving as Milroe’s primary backup for the past two years. Mack has played under DeBoer for two seasons, following the coach from Washington to Alabama, and was recruited by new UA offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb for the Huskies.

Russell joins Alabama as a five-star true freshman. He was named MVP of the Elite 11 before coming to Tuscaloosa.

“We threw a lot at them the first couple practices, and now I think they’re getting into a groove,” DeBoer said. “We dialed back a little bit for the scrimmage, and we’ll keep throwing stuff back on them. The installs were heavy from both sides, you know offensive is installing, defense is installing, and then you’re facing what you’re seeing, not just what you’re supposed to execute on your side. So today was good. Kept it, not at an elementary level, but not at the expert level either.”

DeBoer mentioned a few missed throws, including an explosive play he thought the offense should have hit, but said he thought the three QBs were generally completing 60-65% of their throws in the scrimmage.

“All of them getting their opportunities to lead with the different groups,” DeOBer said. “Ones, twos in particular. So thought they handled the checks and things, as far as managing a game, that’s a lot of it, and going out there and making plays. Felt like they were more comfortable today.”

Alabama will continue spring practice through April 12, when it will hold an open session for A-Day at Bryant-Denny Stadium.