Alabama football coach Kalen DeBoer has not yet shared who will be his starting quarterback in 2025, but the coach made clear what he wants from whoever gets the job.

DeBoer joined Tide 100.9 on Thursday after the third and final scrimmage of the spring, and he didn’t mince words what he’s coveting from his next signal caller.

“I think a lot of it is, we want that playmaker,” DeBoer said. “We want that guy … I don’t want just a game manager out there. If we’re going to win at the level we want to win at, we want a guy who’s going to produce and make the big plays. Obviously there’s a piece too where you can’t make the big mistakes. Especially in critical moments; whether it’s in the red zone, end of games, end of halves, things like that.”

To make sure Alabama has someone capable of getting those things done, several coaches are working with the group, including offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb and co-offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Nick Sheridan.

“Nick Sheridan and Ryan Grubb just do an amazing job working together, guiding these guys in the right direction,” DeBoer said.

Alabama will hold A-Day on Saturday, which will also be formatted like a practice, not a game. It will provide a glimpse of Ty Simpson, Austin Mack and Keelon Russell.

As for where the competition stands heading into A-Day, DeBoer said all three are getting better. There doesn’t seem to be a clear answer yet, though.

“People want to know a decision and things like that,” DeBoer said. “For us, you don’t feel like they’re to the point where there’s separation, where there’s a ceiling that they’ve hit. I think it would be pretty foolish for us to make a decision right now. We have plenty of time still to work through it and let these guys continue to work through the summer.”

DeBoer said all three are talented and he loves “the direction they’re going.”

“Similar in being able to pass and that kind of being the priority as far as what they do but also different in a few things and how they get the ball moved down the field sometimes and what their favorite throws are and so forth,” DeBoer said. “That keeps us from having to, because they are so similar, worry about changing who we are, what our philosophy is, so we’re just going to let these guys continue to compete. They do it in a healthy way. They’re there for each other, but they’re also competing. Love what they’re doing. A lot of positives.”

Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer for Follow him on X and the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X and Instagram.