Previewing Alabama’s Quarterback Battle for 2026

The Alabama Crimson Tide will kick off its 2026 quarterback battle on Sunday, when the Tide takes the field for the third spring practice under head coach Kalen DeBoer. It's also the third new quarterback that DeBoer will have during his tenure with the Crimson Tide.

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Alabama has four scholarship quarterbacks on its roster for 2026:

Austin Mack (Redshirt Junior)
Keelon Russell (Redshirt Freshman)
Jett Thomalla (Freshman)
Tayden Kaawa (Freshman)

While all four will compete in 2026, the Crimson Tide's starting quarterback for 2026 will come from one of two veterans: Austin Mack and Keelon Russell. Both competed against former Alabama starting quarterback Ty Simpson before the 2025 season, with Simpson ultimately winning the job in fall camp, never relinquishing it until he cracked his rib against the Indiana Hoosiers in the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl. Mack stepped in for the injured Simpson and spent the 2025 season as Alabama's listed backup quarterback, with Russell listed as the third-string.

Just because Mack was the listed backup in 2025 doesn't mean he's the guaranteed starter for 2026. The former four-star recruit from California will have to fend off Russell, a former five-star from Texas. In four appearances last season, Mack threw for 228 yards and two touchdowns, adding 22 yards and one score on the ground. In two appearances last season, Russell threw for 143 yards and two scores, adding 17 yards on the ground. With spring practice starting in less than a week, what is the case for both to win the starting quarterback job?

Austin Mack, Redshirt Junior

Mack, standing at 6-foot-6 and 235 pounds, was a four-star quarterback from Loomis, California, who reclassified from the 2024 recruiting class to the 2023 recruiting class. He originally signed with the Washington Huskies after committing to play for DeBoer. He did not see any action in his first season of college football, redshirting after the Huskies' 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship appearance. He then transferred to Alabama after DeBoer was hired in January 2024, spending the last two seasons with the Crimson Tide. He was the Tide's third-string quarterback in 2024 behind Jalen Milroe and Ty Simpson. After Milroe declared for the 2025 NFL draft, Mack competed for the Tide's starting quarterback job in 2025, ultimately finishing behind Ty Simpson. After Simpson's lone season as Alabama's starter, Mack returns for his second quarterback battle in Tuscaloosa.

His stature gives him an advantage standing in the pocket, as he's able to see over offensive linemen when looking for receivers downfield. He also doesn't have to slide in the pocket to find lanes to throw into, as he towers over other players on the field. In 2025, he showcased mobility despite his size, which typically limits bigger quarterbacks, and had good ball placement against inferior competition. He's also shown a willingness to step up in the pocket rather than drifting outside the tackles, which is usually something college quarterbacks struggle to do.

Mack has been with DeBoer and the Tide's coaching staff for all three seasons of his college career, making him the most experienced quarterback in DeBoer's system. His three seasons with DeBoer, and two with offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, are more than any other quarterback on the Tide's roster. The same could be said for last season's quarterback battle, too, however.

Keelon Russell, Redshirt Freshman

Russell, standing at 6-foot-3 and 194 pounds, was a five-star recruit from Duncanville, Texas, who originally committed to SMU before being offered by the Tide and flipping his commitment in the summer of 2024 to head coach Kalen DeBoer and Alabama. Russell was the Tide's third-string quarterback in 2025 behind Ty Simpson and Austin Mack. Russell competed with Simpson and Mack for the 2025 quarterback job, but his lack of experience may have prevented him from winning the battle. Russell returns for his second quarterback competition in Tuscaloosa.

Russell's height gives him an advantage over shorter quarterbacks, as he should have an easier time seeing over and around offensive linemen. The arm angle of his throws makes the ball appear to jump out of his hands as he delivers with velocity. In 2025, He showcased good maneuverability in the pocket with a tendency to keep his head up, looking for receivers when plays break down. He also has the arm talent to make off-platform throws look routine. Russell also has shown a willingness to step up in the pocket.

Russell was viewed as the crown jewel of DeBoer's 2025 recruiting class as DeBoer's first quarterback commitment of his Alabama tenure. When he first committed to Alabama, Russell was a three-star prospect, but after throwing for 4,177 yards and 55 touchdowns as a senior, he quickly rose to five-star status.

It's unlikely we get an answer to the Crimson Tide's quarterback question during spring practice, for multiple reasons: competition and loopholes in transfer rules. By not naming a starter after spring, Russell and Mack will continue working during the summer and fall camp, improving their game and becoming better quarterbacks. If Alabama did name a starter, then the loser of the competition may feel no need to work as hard if he feels like he has no chance of winning the job, resulting in both becoming complacent and failing to improve.

There's also a loophole in transfer rules for the spring. While there is no official spring transfer portal, a concern among decision makers across college football is the possibility of "blind transfers," or players who unenroll at their current school and "blindly" transfer to a new school before joining the football team to circumvent the portal rules. If Alabama names a starter after spring practice, then the quarterback who was not named the starter may explore blind transferring. The FBS Oversight Committee has proposed penalties for programs that accept blind transfers, including roster restrictions, fines, and head coach suspensions, but the rules have not yet been approved.

Alabama will start spring practice on Sunday, March 8.

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_.