Alabama may have a different kind of quarterback decision to make this Saturday.
With Keelon Russell nursing an ankle injury from the Crimson Tide’s win over LSU and listed as day-to-day, Austin Mack could be the next man up against Vanderbilt - and maybe more than that. On Monday, Kalen DeBoer left open the possibility of Mack playing, and that could give the junior a real chance to show what he can do in live action.
Russell has won the job and backed it up. He’s pushed Alabama to a 7-2 record through nine games and has already delivered multiple second-half comebacks this season, including last Saturday against LSU.
But if Alabama wants to be careful with its starter, Mack may be the safer option this weekend. The Tide probably won’t need Russell to handle Vanderbilt, which makes this a logical spot to protect him and see what Mack can bring.
And there’s still plenty to like about Mack.
He was a five-star recruit for DeBoer at Washington before following him to Tuscaloosa in 2024. At 6-foot-6 with a big arm, he remains an intriguing passer, even if his college résumé is still thin. So far, he has thrown just 39 passes in his career.
That limited sample is part of why this game could matter so much for him. If Mack gets on the field Saturday, teams looking for quarterback help will be paying close attention. With Russell now viewed as the long-term answer, Mack almost certainly will transfer out of the program this winter.
He was once viewed by many as the favorite to win Alabama’s quarterback job heading into 2026, but Russell’s mobility gave him the edge. Behind a shaky Crimson Tide offensive line, that mobility has mattered.
Mack may not carry the same buzz he once did, but he’s still a compelling quarterback with the kind of traits that could make him a breakout candidate next season.
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