There’s no clear-cut QB1 in Tuscaloosa right now - and that’s exactly how Alabama’s coaching staff wants it.
With spring practice just around the corner, new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb isn’t shying away from the buzz surrounding the Crimson Tide’s quarterback room. In fact, he’s leaning into it.
“I think a lot of people were waiting to see what we would do in the portal,” Grubb said last week at the ALFCA Coaches Convention in Montgomery. “And with Austin Mack and Keelon Russell, we got exactly what we need. They are two of the best quarterbacks in the country.”
That’s not just coach-speak. This is shaping up to be a legitimate battle between two highly touted signal-callers who bring very different résumés to the table - but both have the tools to lead Alabama’s offense in 2026.
Head coach Kalen DeBoer confirmed that there’s no starter named yet, and that’s by design. “You always love going into a season where you absolutely know who your quarterback is,” DeBoer said at the convention.
“But that won’t be the case. We’ll let these guys battle it out.”
This isn’t a case of two raw prospects learning on the fly. Both Mack and Russell have spent at least a year in DeBoer’s system, and the coaching staff is confident enough in their understanding of the scheme to let the best man win - no shortcuts, no presumptions.
Mack, a redshirt junior, has the edge in experience. He served as Ty Simpson’s primary backup last season, completing 24 of 32 passes for two touchdowns in limited action across four games.
While those numbers came mostly in low-leverage situations, they still speak to his efficiency and command of the offense. More importantly, Mack has been immersed in DeBoer’s system for four years now - one at Washington in 2023 and the past two at Alabama.
“Austin has certainly known the system,” DeBoer said. “This is Year 4 for him.”
That kind of continuity matters, especially in a system that asks its quarterbacks to process quickly and make high-level decisions. Mack knows the playbook inside and out - now it’s about proving he can run it at full speed against SEC defenses.
But don’t count out Keelon Russell. The redshirt freshman may be younger, but he’s already turning heads inside the program.
A five-star recruit in the 2025 class, Russell saw action in two games last season, completing 11 of 15 passes for 143 yards and two touchdowns. Small sample size?
Sure. But the flashes were there.
“Keelon has shown what he can do,” DeBoer said. “Putting his nose in there as a true freshman and really doing a lot of great things.”
Grubb went a step further: “Keelon is special. He’s got incredible vision, mindset, and his intelligence on the field is special.”
It’s high praise, and it comes with high expectations. Russell’s upside is undeniable - he’s got the arm talent, the mobility, and the poise that made him one of the most sought-after quarterbacks in his class.
What he doesn’t have yet is meaningful game experience. But if he continues to develop the way the staff believes he can, that gap could close quickly.
Both quarterbacks were re-signed last month during the transfer portal window, a strong signal that the staff is fully invested in this competition. In an era where quarterback movement is constant, Alabama managed to keep both of its top options in-house - a win in itself.
This will mark the second straight offseason with a quarterback competition in Tuscaloosa. But unlike last year, when the Tide were trying to find a steady hand after Bryce Young’s departure, this year’s battle feels more like a luxury than a scramble. Two quarterbacks, both capable, both familiar with the system, and both hungry to lead.
The next few months will be telling. Spring practice opens soon, and with it comes the first real look at how this competition could shake out.
DeBoer and Grubb have made it clear: the playbook will be tailored to the strengths of whoever wins the job. No square pegs in round holes here - the offense will adjust to the quarterback, not the other way around.
So, who’s it going to be? The seasoned vet with years in the system, or the rising star with sky-high potential?
One thing’s for sure - Alabama’s quarterback room is in good hands, no matter who emerges on top.