Alabama football’s three-man quarterback race doesn’t just impact that position. Every other offensive player on the field has a stake in the battle, from wideouts who catch the passes to offensive lineman, who Kalen DeBoer noted need to learn tendencies.

“They’re continuing to build trust with the offensive line, and then I think it has to go the other way too,” the UA head coach said after Alabama’s second spring scrimmage on Friday. “The offensive line is getting used to cadences and getting used to what guys do. Does he usually break to the outside and scramble? Some guys just have those types of instinctual things they do, but they’re all a little different.”

Chief among offensive lineman who will need to learn the ways of Jalen Milroe’s replacement is center Parker Brailsford. Ty Simpson, Austin Mack and Keelon Russell are all competing for the job, and Brailsford plays a major role in initiating the offense with each snap.

Given the uncertainty, 2025 could be a difficult spring for Brailsford, who followed DeBoer to Alabama from Washington before the 2024 season and assumed the starting job. However, he said that wasn’t the case, following UA’s third and final scrimmage on Thursday.

“No, not necessarily,” Brailsford said. “I’m cool with all those guys, and I mean, whoever is the starter at the end of the day is the starter. But the chemistry is all there, with all three guys.”

Simpson is the most experienced at Alabama of the three quarterbacks. He served as UA’s primary backup for the past two years, behind Milroe.

Mack joined the Tide with Brailsford, following DeBoer from Washington. He was Alabama’s third-string QB last year and is the lone quarterback in the battle who had UA offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb as his primary recruiter out of high school.

Finally, Russell joined Alabama in the 2025 recruiting class as a five-star prospect out of Texas. He was named Elite 11 MVP before arriving on campus.

DeBoer has maintained that all three players have a chance to earn the starting role. However, after the second scrimmage, he said Simpson and Mack were getting the majority of first team reps, largely due to their experience in the system.

“Keelon’s definitely working with the 2s,” DeBoer said, noting that the designation didn’t mean the younger is out of the race. “He’ll get one reps from time to time, but that’s no indication of really where we feel like he’s at. He’s killing it, doing a great job.You can see, when he’s out there, he’s getting more and more comfortable moving the ball down the field.

“If there’s a throw to be made, he’ll make the throw, that’s for sure. Just the learning curve that comes with being young compared to the other two guys, there’s a little bit more (for Russell), as far as understanding the offense and trying to continue to install things.”

Alabama will close spring practice Saturday, holding A-Day at Bryant-Denny Stadium. A-Day is not a game or scrimmage this season, just a regular practice session.

A-Day will not be televised, but admission will be free.