Alabama’s QB Battle Is On: Mack vs. Russell and the Crimson Tide’s Next Chapter
There’s no QB1 at Alabama right now - and that’s exactly how Kalen DeBoer wants it.
With Ty Simpson officially declaring for the NFL Draft, the Crimson Tide are entering a new era under center. But don’t mistake the lack of a named starter for uncertainty.
What DeBoer is building in Tuscaloosa isn’t about plugging in the next man up. It’s about letting the best man win.
This is Alabama. Quarterback battles aren’t chaos - they’re culture.
“You always love to go into a season where you absolutely know who your quarterback is,” DeBoer said. “But that won’t be the case. We’ll let these guys battle it out.”
That’s not coachspeak. That’s a clear signal: the job is open, the competition is real, and the path to QB1 runs through spring and summer.
DeBoer isn’t walking into a rebuild. He’s stepping into a quarterback room that’s already been through the fire.
Both contenders - Austin Mack and Keelon Russell - know the system. They’ve had time to digest the playbook, understand the expectations, and get a feel for the program’s championship standard.
“Austin certainly knows the system. This is year four for him,” DeBoer said. “And Keelon has shown what he can do putting his nose in there as a true freshman, and really doing a lot of great things as well.”
Let’s break this down.
Austin Mack is the prototype - 6-foot-6, 235 pounds, with a big arm and surprising mobility for his size. He’s not just a physical presence; he’s a quarterback who’s had time to develop.
If the game continues to slow down for him - and that’s the key with young QBs - the ceiling is sky-high. He’s got all the tools.
Now it’s about putting them together in live game situations.
Keelon Russell, on the other hand, brings juice. A former five-star recruit, he’s already flashed the traits that separate good quarterbacks from great ones: poise under pressure, the ability to extend plays, and a competitive edge that shows up when the lights are brightest. He’s not a project - he’s a playmaker.
This isn’t a battle between experience and potential. It’s a battle between two quarterbacks who are ready now - just in different ways.
And for DeBoer, it’s not about stars or headlines. It’s about production.
“These guys certainly have what it takes,” he said. “Now it’s just a matter of who can do the best job of moving the ball up-and-down the field for us.”
Simple. Direct. And exactly what Alabama fans should want to hear.
Because at the end of the day, this is how dynasties stay alive - not by handing out jobs, but by making players earn them. The Tide aren’t looking for the next face of the program. They’re looking for someone who can command the offense, lead the huddle, and win games in the SEC.
This quarterback room isn’t unsettled - it’s stacked. And come fall, whoever emerges from this competition won’t just be Alabama’s starter.
They’ll have earned it.