The quarterback room in Tuscaloosa is about to get very interesting.
With Ty Simpson officially heading to the NFL, Alabama is once again staring down an offseason quarterback competition. It’s the second straight year the Crimson Tide will enter spring ball without a clear-cut starter, and this time, it’s a battle that could define the early tenure of new head coach Kalen DeBoer.
The contenders? Redshirt junior Austin Mack, a former four-star recruit who followed DeBoer from Washington, and Keelon Russell, the five-star phenom from the 2025 class who chose to stay in Tuscaloosa rather than hit the Transfer Portal. On paper, it’s a classic veteran-versus-upstart scenario-but Vegas isn’t tipping its hand just yet.
This week, FanDuel released its opening Heisman Trophy odds for the 2026 college football season. While Alabama doesn’t have a frontrunner in the race, one of its quarterbacks did sneak into the sportsbook’s top-20 graphic: Austin Mack.
That may seem like a vote of confidence for the older QB, but a closer look tells a different story. Mack and Russell are currently listed with identical +5500 odds to win the Heisman, putting them just ahead of names like Rocco Becht (Penn State), Bear Bachmeier (BYU), and Lincoln Kienholz (Louisville).
Translation? Vegas isn’t picking a winner yet. And neither is Alabama.
Mack made his case late in the 2025 season. When Simpson went down in the Rose Bowl against Indiana-after a brutal hit and a game that quickly got out of hand-DeBoer turned to Mack.
The junior stepped in and delivered a solid performance, going 11-for-16 for 103 yards in the second half. It was a glimpse of what he could bring to the table: steady, efficient, and unshaken by the moment.
Across his four appearances last season, Mack completed 24 of 32 passes for 228 yards and two touchdowns. Not eye-popping numbers, but certainly enough to suggest he’s ready for a bigger role-especially after years of waiting in the wings behind Michael Penix Jr. at Washington, and then Jalen Milroe and Simpson at Alabama.
He’s been patient. He’s learned the system.
And with his eligibility clock ticking, this feels like his shot.
But don’t count out Keelon Russell.
The five-star freshman didn’t see much action in 2025, logging just two appearances against Louisiana Monroe and Eastern Illinois to preserve his redshirt. But when he did play, he flashed the kind of dual-threat potential that makes coaches-and fans-dream big.
He went 11-for-15 for 143 yards and two touchdowns, adding 17 yards on the ground. Small sample size, sure, but the talent is undeniable.
Russell was the No. 2 quarterback in his class, trailing only Michigan commit Bryce Underwood-a player who reportedly commanded an NIL deal north of $10 million to flip from LSU. In most years, Russell would’ve been the top QB prospect in the nation. He’s drawn comparisons to 2023 Heisman winner Jayden Daniels, and it’s easy to see why: he’s got the arm, the legs, and the poise to take over a program.
And here’s the kicker: there’s no spring Transfer Portal window this year. That means neither Mack nor Russell can jump ship if they don’t like where they stand coming out of spring camp. This battle is going the distance.
For DeBoer, it’s a good problem to have. He’s got two capable quarterbacks-one with experience and system knowledge, the other with elite upside and long-term potential.
But the decision won’t be easy. Mack has waited for this moment, and his presence on the Heisman odds board suggests he’s not just a placeholder.
Meanwhile, Russell’s ceiling is sky-high, and burying that kind of talent on the bench comes with its own risks.
One thing’s for sure: Alabama’s quarterback battle is going to be one of the most-watched stories of the college football offseason. And with Vegas calling it a toss-up, the race is officially on.