There’s plenty of time left before Alabama football faces Florida State in the season opener Aug. 30, but one Crimson Tide quarterback seems to be the early favorite for the starting job, per Greg McElroy.

McElroy, the former Alabama quarterback turned ESPN broadcaster, was asked on his podcast “Always College Football” how he would evaluate the upside of Ty Simpson at quarterback this year for the Crimson Tide.

“Right now, based on my understanding of what’s going on in Tuscaloosa, is that Ty has had a solid camp, McElroy said. ”He is in firm control of the No. 1 job so far that the other two, between Austin Mack and Keelon Russell, those are the ones that are kind of competing for that No. 2 spot right now.”

Simpson is the oldest of the group, having been with Alabama since 2022. Mack transferred from Washington ahead of the 2024 season. Russell, meanwhile, is a five-star freshman.

“Once we get into the summer, maybe that competition is extended,” McElroy said. “Maybe one of those guys makes a leap and makes this thing super competitive down the stretch. I don’t think we’re going to have an answer anytime soon.”

McElroy thinks it doesn’t make sense publicly for Alabama to endorse a starter for a .

“For fear that the fact there’s only three guys right now on scholarship, you lose one of the other two guys, now you’re down to two and you’re back in the portal for a guy who doesn’t have a great feel for the system,” McElroy said. “If I were in charge of this quarterback competition, this thing is going all the way to Week 1. As long as I can potentially string it out, I would string it out.”

Alabama is in the back half of spring practices, which will conclude with A-Day on April 12.

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