DeBoer said continuity on the roster and staff is the key, and he feels like for the most part, the Tide have that this season. DeBoer said he didn’t go into the transfer portal for a starting quarterback because, much like a year ago with Ty Simpson, he’s confident in what he has returning, this time with Austin Mack and Keelon Russell.
Mack, who transferred with DeBoer when he was hired, is entering his fourth season in the system, and Russell has “a high ceiling.” Neither has starting experience, but DeBoer said he thought Mack looked “like he belonged out there” in the Rose Bowl against Indiana. Mack completed 11 of 16 attempts for 103 yards after Simpson was injured.
“He runs well, especially when he gets moving, and he can cover a lot of ground in a hurry,” DeBoer said. “From an arm strength and arm talent standpoint, he can make all the throws. I mean, he can rip it from one hash to the opposite sideline. He can throw it down the field. He’s really improved just his timing and anticipation. A lot of that is he knows the offense. Now it’s just a matter of playing ball.”