Austin Mack may be headed for a rare kind of showcase this Saturday against Vanderbilt: not just a chance to help Alabama, but a chance to put something on tape for the transfer portal.
With Keelon Russell dealing with an ankle injury after Alabama’s win over LSU, the Crimson Tide could turn to Mack if Russell is unable to go. Russell is listed as day-to-day, and Kalen DeBoer said Monday that Mack could be in line to play. Alabama may even prefer to keep Russell on the sideline and avoid pushing the injury, especially with Vanderbilt on deck.
That would open the door for Mack, a quarterback whose Alabama career has been defined more by potential than opportunity. He arrived in Tuscaloosa in 2024 after following DeBoer from Washington, where he had been a five-star recruit. At 6-foot-6 with a big arm, Mack still carries the kind of traits that make evaluators take notice.
He just hasn’t had many chances to show them. Mack has thrown only 39 passes in his college career, which is why any appearance this weekend would matter. If he gets on the field, teams looking for quarterback help will be watching closely.
Russell beat out Mack for the starting job in camp, and the decision has paid off for Alabama. Russell has guided the Crimson Tide to a 7-2 record through nine games and has delivered multiple second-half comebacks, including last week against LSU. His mobility has also been a major factor behind the job separation, especially behind an Alabama offensive line that has been shaky.
Even so, Mack remains an intriguing name. Some had him pegged as the favorite to win Alabama’s quarterback job heading into 2026, and while he’s no longer viewed that way, the talent that once made him so highly regarded is still there. If Saturday brings his first real extended look, it could be the kind of audition that shapes what comes next.
In Other News...
Miami Defense Suddenly Has A New Secondary Concern Before Duke
Miamis defense may have to make a late adjustment in the secondary this week, with safety Zechariah Poyser listed as questionable for the home game against Duke after picking up an upper-body injury last week. Head coach Mario Cristobal said Poyser is doing well, but the Hurricanes still have to treat his availability as uncertain as they get closer to kickoff.
If Poyser cant go, Miami does have backup options lined up to handle the safety spot, which at least gives the staff some flexibility. Still, any uncertainty in the back end is worth watching closely against a Duke offense that will test communication and depth, making Poysers status one of the more important items on the pregame checklist. [Read more 🡒]
Miami Gets An Early Test Of How Real This Start Is
No. 17 Miami gets a chance to keep building early momentum Friday when North Alabama comes to town for a 5 p.m. ET matchup at home. Both teams enter at 2-1, which gives this one a little more substance than the usual November tune-up, especially for a Hurricanes group coming off a win over North Florida and looking to show its start is more than just a fast opening stretch.
North Alabama arrives after a loss to Oklahoma, so the Lions will have their own motivation to steady things against a ranked opponent on the road. The game will air on ACC Network with Mike Corey and Tom Crean on the call, giving Miami another early-season stage to answer the first real question of the year: how much of this start can hold up once the schedule starts to ask more of it? [Read more 🡒]
Jai Lucas Is Still Pushing Miami To Fix Two Things Fast
Miamis 89-51 win over North Florida gave Jai Lucas plenty to like, especially the way his team controlled the glass and dictated the game inside. The Hurricanes were able to lean on their rebounding and paint presence to separate early, but Lucas still came away focused on two areas he wants cleaned up quickly: a tighter rotation and better spacing.
Lewis, the sophomore Lucas has leaned on as a floor general, was part of that conversation even with only two points in the box score. Miami now turns to North Alabama for the first meeting between the programs, and the next step for the Hurricanes will be showing that the same physical edge can come with a sharper, more connected offense. [Read more 🡒]