As Kalen DeBoer enters Year 3 in Tuscaloosa, he finds himself on the hot seat. Despite the playoff run in the 2025 season, the Alabama head coach has failed to secure his future. But amidst all this, the major debate surrounding the Crimson Tide has centered on a high-stakes quarterback battle.
Andy Staples Reminds Kalen DeBoer Where the Priority Lies
On one side stands Austin Mack, the 6’6″ pocket passer who followed DeBoer from Washington, on the other, Keelon Russell, the electric five-star phenom out of Duncanville, Texas. But according to college football insider Andy Staples, the jersey under center is secondary to the five men in front of it.
Staples appeared on ‘The Next Round’ podcast, where he talked about Alabama and their chances of making the playoffs again under DeBoer. He said, “It almost doesn’t matter if it’s Keelon Russell or Austin Mack if they can’t block for them.”
“It almost doesn’t matter if it’s Keelon Russell or Austin Mack if they can’t block for them.” – @AndyStaples on what he sees as the biggest factor in whether or not Alabama makes the College Football Playoff in year 3 under Kalen DeBoer pic.twitter.com/7DfT93S0S1
— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) March 4, 2026
So, he has highlighted the offensive line as the definitive “make-or-break” factor for Alabama’s playoff aspirations. Interestingly, the 2025 campaign exposed cracks in the foundation.
Despite an 11–4 finish and an SEC Championship appearance, the Tide’s rushing efficiency dipped to a modest 3.35 yards per attempt. PFSN’s CFB Team OL Impact ranked the Crimson Tide 45th in the nation, even behind the likes of Memphis and Duke.
The departure of All-American tackle Tyler Booker to the NFL leaves a leadership vacuum. While returning starters like Kadyn Proctor provide a cornerstone, the metrics from 2025 suggest the unit must evolve from serviceable to dominant to protect an inexperienced signal-caller.
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The 2026 roster will definitely be inexperienced but highly talented, boasting a blue-chip ratio of 81%, the fifth-highest in the nation. To bridge the gap between potential and production, DeBoer has attacked the recruiting trail, securing four major offensive line commits for the 2026 class, including 6’5″, 305-pound JUCO standout Tyrell Miller.
But where is Alabama on confirming their new QB1? DeBoer is willing to make it an open competition. He told reporters recently, “We’ll let these guys battle it out. Both guys have a year at minimum in our system, and understand what we are trying to accomplish.”
Kalen DeBoer’s system is designed for surgical passing, but it requires a clean pocket to operate. Whether it’s the veteran familiarity of Mack or the dynamic skill set of Russell, the quarterback will only be as good as the time he is afforded.
If Alabama’s offensive line can restore the standard of the Saban era, the Tide is a lock for the 12-team playoff. If they can’t, even a five-star quarterback won’t be enough to save the season.
