To say that the post-Nick Saban era is going through growing pains is an understatement. The Crimson Tide finished the 2025 College Football season with a 38-3 loss in the Rose Bowl. To insult to injury, their All-American starting quarterback declared for the 2026 NFL Draft.
With so much attention on Sam Leavitt in the transfer portal, Alabama decided to stick with its own homegrown talent at the QB position. Both Austin Mack and Keelon Russell are returning for the 2026 football season. With the transfer portal coming to a close in a few days, stability makes sense for the Crimson Tide, and Mack and Russell bring that.
There's no doubt that Austin Mack and Keelon Russell will compete for the starting role. Prior to Simpson winning the starting role, Mack and Russell competed for it, with Ty Simpson ultimately winning it by week 1. Simpson started all the games and threw for over 3,500 yards, 28 touchdowns, and only 5 interceptions, making the Crimson Tide one of the top-ranked teams to follow. Throughout the 2025 College Football Season, Simpson was in the running for the Heisman winner and was among the prediction markets and the best betting sites bonuses to help the Crimson Tide win the National Championship.
Mack, who came to Alabama two years ago to support former Washington coach Kalen DeBoer. Heading into the future competition with Russell, Mack completed 24 out of 32 passes for nearly 230 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions. It makes sense to go with Mack as the new starter, considering that Russell is a redshirt freshman with his limited playing time. Having Russell sit back this year gives him time to learn DeBoer's offense and develop.
In his brief time, Russell proved to be quite accurate, completing 11 out of 15 passes for 143 yards. He also threw for two touchdowns with no interceptions. Even as a redshirt freshman, offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb firmly believes that Russell has NFL potential. Russell is praised for having good field vision.
Russell seems ready for the upcoming QB battle. Before the Rose Bowl, Russell affirmed his dedication to giving it his all for winning the starting role. He stated, "I came to Alabama to be developed. So having that learning experience is the best thing, and that comes from patience."
Russell, full of confidence, also went on to remark, "I came to win national championships. I told Ty the other day, I said, 'When my time comes, you're gonna see me having a Heisman Trophy and I'm gonna invite you, man."
