The quarterback room in Tuscaloosa has stayed remarkably intact this offseason - and that’s no small feat in today’s transfer-heavy college football landscape.
Despite the usual roster movement, Alabama didn’t lose a single quarterback to the portal. The only departure from last year’s depth chart came via the NFL Draft, with Ty Simpson making the leap to the pros. Beyond that, the Crimson Tide successfully held onto both Austin Mack and Keelon Russell - a win in itself given how aggressive programs have become in poaching talent, especially at the game’s most important position.
“It’s huge,” head coach Kalen DeBoer said Wednesday while attending Senior Bowl practices in Mobile. “Two guys who know our system at quarterback. Just the way, with an offensive line that’s got some leaders who are gone, two quarterbacks who can carry over from last year what we did and keep it moving forward.”
That continuity might end up being one of Alabama’s biggest advantages heading into 2026. With key veterans on the offensive line moving on, having quarterbacks who already understand the system - and can help stabilize the offense - is critical.
Austin Mack enters his third season with the Crimson Tide and his fourth under DeBoer, having spent a year at Washington before following the head coach and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb to Alabama. That familiarity with the offensive scheme gives him a strong foundation heading into what figures to be a tightly contested quarterback battle.
Keelon Russell, the highly touted former five-star recruit, is heading into his second season in Tuscaloosa and brings plenty of upside. He’ll push Mack in spring practices, looking to make a leap and potentially take control of the offense.
For now, Mack likely begins the spring with a slight edge - not just because of his time in the system, but also due to his experience in high-pressure moments. When Simpson went down with a cracked rib in the Rose Bowl, it was Mack who stepped in and finished the game. That kind of exposure, even in a limited sample, matters when you’re trying to establish trust within a locker room and coaching staff.
Still, it’s worth noting that both quarterbacks are relatively untested in meaningful college snaps. Outside of mop-up duty in blowouts - and that brief Rose Bowl appearance for Mack - neither has had the chance to truly command the offense in a full-game setting. Mack did get a series in the first half against Louisiana Monroe, but beyond that, game reps have been limited.
That’s what makes this spring so important. With Simpson off to the NFL and no new faces crowding the quarterback room, it’s a two-man race between familiarity and upside. Mack brings the experience, Russell brings the intrigue - and Alabama’s offense will be shaped by how that competition unfolds over the next few months.