Alabama may have a very different quarterback on deck this Saturday if Austin Mack gets the nod against Vanderbilt.
With Keelon Russell nursing an ankle injury from the Crimson Tide’s win over LSU, Mack suddenly looks like a real possibility under center. Russell is listed as day-to-day, and Kalen DeBoer said Monday that Mack could be in line to play. That opens the door for the junior to get a meaningful audition at a time when Alabama may want to be cautious with its starter.
Russell won the job over Mack in camp, and the decision has worked out for Alabama through nine games. The Crimson Tide sit at 7-2, and Russell has already shown he can handle pressure, helping engineer multiple second-half comebacks this season, including last Saturday against LSU.
Still, Mack brings plenty of intrigue if he does get the chance. He was once a five-star recruit for DeBoer at Washington before following him to Tuscaloosa in 2024.
At 6-foot-6 with tremendous arm strength, he has the kind of profile that still turns heads, even if his college résumé remains thin. So far, he has thrown just 39 passes.
That limited sample is part of why this weekend could matter so much for him. If Mack gets on the field, quarterback-needy teams around the country will be watching closely, especially with the expectation that he will transfer out this winter once Russell’s hold on the job becomes even more secure.
Mack was 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 been a major factor.
Mack may not carry the same buzz he once did, but he remains a compelling quarterback with the kind of tools that could make him a breakout candidate next season.
In Other News...
Florida State Coaching Search Just Took A Dramatic New Turn
Florida States coaching search has a fresh layer of intrigue after the school hired Jeff Purinton as its new athletic director, a move that could shape how the next head coach is chosen. Purintons arrival matters because he is expected to have a significant voice in the process, and that immediately shifts the focus from speculation to who he trusts to lead the Seminoles forward.
One name that has gained traction is Glenn Schumann, Georgias defensive coordinator, whose connection to Purinton gives him a built-in familiarity as the search unfolds. Schumanns background under Kirby Smart only adds to his profile, while another previously linked option, Wake Forest coach Jake Dickert, appears to be off the board for now after signing an extension with the Demon Deacons. [Read more 🡒]
Florida State Coaching Search Just Got Clearer After One Early Candidate's Move
Florida States coaching search is moving into a more defined phase, with the school still working to replace Mike Norvell and new athletic director Jeff Purinton now in the middle of the vetting process. The list of names tied to the job has included Wake Forests Dave Clawson, Dukes Manny Diaz and Georgias Glenn Schumann, a mix that underscores how broad the search has been as the Seminoles weigh both recruiting chops and on-field results.
One early candidates move has helped narrow the picture a bit, even if nothing official has been decided yet. For Florida State, that matters because the next hire is being judged on more than just rsum appeal - Purinton is clearly looking for someone who can stabilize the program quickly and keep the Seminoles competitive in the recruiting battles that shape the ACC race. [Read more 🡒]
Florida State Has A Bad Matchup Problem At The Worst Time
Florida State heads into its meeting with Pittsburgh dealing with a thinner offensive backfield than it would like, with three running backs sidelined and true freshman Amari Thomas expected to get the start after a strong showing in the previous game. It is not the kind of setup the Seminoles wanted heading into a matchup like this, especially with Duce Robinson also set to miss his second straight game.
The timing is rough because Pittsburgh brings one of the nations best run defenses into the matchup, ranking second nationally against the run. For Florida State, the challenge is not just replacing bodies, but finding enough balance to keep the offense from becoming predictable against a front built to take away the ground game. [Read more 🡒]