Grubb Shares Moment Russell Won QB Competition

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- On Saturday, Alabama named sophomore Keelon Russell as the Crimson Tide's starting quarterback. Russell beat out senior quarterback Austin Mack, with offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb mentioning one moment during last Thursday's scrimmage that highlighted why Russell was ready to be named Alabama's starting quarterback during his Tuesday press conference.

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"I think one time we were down in the red zone and we got a zeroed-out look, and you need a check to get to for protection and make the big throw down in the red zone on the third down," Grubb said, "and clock's ticking. You know, you're going under 10 seconds, and defense gets into a tough look in a pressure moment. Just having the ability to, you know, get to your training, fall back on your training, and let it happen. You know, that was one — I believe it was in the second scrimmage he did that — was really, really good."

One area Russell has taken massive strides since the end of spring practice: pre-snap adjustments. Last season, Ty Simpson was a master at pre-snap looks, and while Russell may not be a "master" at it, he's much better.

"Way ahead of schedule. That's what I'd say. Way ahead of schedule. I think there's some of those things that you really think you know, you hope, you anticipate for all the quarterbacks, you know, what they're going to be able to do and develop, and where he's going to be pre-snap," Grubb said.

"But I think his mechanics and just having … A lot of time, it's really just having discipline from play to play. Like, you know, exactly where your eye should be, what defender is going to give you the keys you need, and then being consistent with that process. So for him, I thought over the summer and into camp, he really honed that process down with being treated with his eyes pretty soon. So I think he's, I'd say, ahead of schedule. Is he a 10-year vet? No, not yet, right? You're still reminding him of stuff, but I think he's doing a really good job."

"I’m excited for him. He’s really taken the bull by the horns as a starter and embodied that. Just taking command of the field. Everything that you think like, ‘Oh, is a young quarterback going to be able to do that?’ But we have a ton of confidence in him. He’s playing confident. He’s operating at an incredibly high level right now, so we’re really excited for him.”

Watch Ryan Grubb's Full Press Conference here:

Alabama will return to the practice field on Wednesday, August 26, for the 17th practice of fall camp 2026. Alabama is scheduled to open the 2026 season at home against East Carolina on Saturday, September 5. Kickoff is scheduled for 11:00 a.m.

Wyatt Fulton is the Tide 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.