Austin Mack may be one snap away from turning Saturday into something bigger than an Alabama depth-chart note.
With Keelon Russell nursing an ankle injury from the Crimson Tide’s win over LSU and listed as day-to-day, Kalen DeBoer opened the door Monday for Mack to see the field against Vanderbilt. If Russell sits, Alabama could opt to protect him and let Mack handle a game the Crimson Tide likely won’t need Russell to win.
That would give Mack a rare chance to show what he can do in live action, and it would arrive at a time when his future in Tuscaloosa already feels pointed toward the transfer portal this winter.
Mack arrived at Alabama after following DeBoer from Washington in 2024, where he had once been a five-star recruit. At 6-foot-6 with tremendous arm strength, he still carries the look of a quarterback who can draw attention.
The problem has been opportunity. He has thrown just 39 passes in his college career, which has left his résumé thin even if the talent has never been in doubt.
Russell won the starting job in camp over Mack, and the choice has paid off so far. Alabama is 7-2 through nine games, and Russell has already delivered multiple second-half comebacks, including last Saturday against LSU. His mobility has been a major reason he got the nod, especially behind what has been a very shaky Crimson Tide offensive line.
Still, Mack has long been viewed as a compelling option. Some had him pegged as the favorite to win Alabama’s quarterback job heading into 2026 before Russell separated himself. Now, with Russell established as the long-term starter, Mack appears headed elsewhere.
If he gets the chance against Vanderbilt, it won’t just be a fill-in appearance. Quarterback-needy teams around the country will be watching.
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Young spoke confidently this week about his ability to win against blockers and about how much he has grown since his earlier years in the league. At 3-5, New Orleans still has work to do, but the Saints have reason to lean on him as one of the tone-setters on that side of the ball. The bigger question now is how far that edge can carry a defense that needs more than just flashes to stay in the hunt. [Read more 🡒]