Keelon Russell Shuts Down Transfer Talk, Commits to Alabama’s Future at QB
Alabama’s quarterback room is loaded with talent - and with that kind of depth, some level of offseason turnover is almost inevitable. But if there was any doubt about where Keelon Russell stands heading into 2026, he cleared it up in emphatic fashion.
Speaking at Rose Bowl media day, the five-star freshman quarterback made it crystal clear: he’s not going anywhere.
“Man, no,” Russell said when asked about potential Transfer Portal plans. “I’m 100% here.
Coach DeBoer, he protects me. I’m not going nowhere.
That’s going to be my head coach, and I love him to death.”
That’s not just a soundbite - that’s a statement. In an era where top-tier quarterbacks often chase immediate playing time, Russell is choosing development and continuity. And that says a lot about both the player and the program.
A Crowded, Competitive QB Room
Right now, Alabama has three scholarship quarterbacks on the roster: Ty Simpson, Austin Mack, and Keelon Russell. It’s a talented trio, but it’s hard to imagine all three being in Tuscaloosa next fall.
Simpson is the veteran of the group and could opt to declare for the NFL Draft, which would open the door for a new starter. If he stays, he’s likely QB1 - and that could push Mack or Russell to explore other opportunities via the Transfer Portal, which opens January 2nd, just one day after Alabama’s College Football Playoff quarterfinal matchup against Indiana.
But while Simpson and Mack have yet to tip their hands, Russell has made his intentions known. He’s staying put.
Russell’s Potential Is No Secret
Russell didn’t see much game action this season - just brief appearances against UL Monroe and Eastern Illinois - but the flashes were there. The arm talent, the poise, the athleticism. He finished the 2025 recruiting cycle as the No. 2 overall player in the country, and his ceiling is sky-high.
A redshirt year was always part of the plan. Alabama didn’t need him to play meaningful snaps this season, and that’s allowed him to grow behind the scenes. The signs are pointing toward a future where Russell becomes one of the premier quarterbacks in college football - the only question is when that breakout will happen.
The Dominoes Yet to Fall
Russell’s commitment to Alabama is a big win for Kalen DeBoer, but the rest of the quarterback picture is still in flux.
If Simpson returns for his final year of eligibility, he’s the likely starter, which could lead Mack to seek a starting opportunity elsewhere. Mack has just two years of eligibility remaining, and he’ll want to make the most of them. One potential destination to keep an eye on is Michigan State, where former Alabama tight ends coach Nick Sheridan is taking over as offensive coordinator.
On the flip side, if Simpson declares for the draft, the door opens for a true quarterback competition between Mack and Russell heading into 2026. And that’s where things could get interesting.
Alabama’s Future at QB Is in Good Hands
Regardless of how the rest of the depth chart shakes out, DeBoer knows he has at least one elite quarterback to build around in Russell. Add in incoming freshmen Jett Thomalla and Tayden Kaawa, and Alabama’s quarterback pipeline remains as strong as ever.
Russell’s loyalty and long-term mindset are rare in today’s college football landscape. He could’ve easily entered the portal and found a guaranteed starting job elsewhere. Instead, he’s betting on himself - and on Alabama’s system - to develop into the kind of quarterback who doesn’t just start, but dominates.
For the Crimson Tide, that’s a foundation worth building on.