Ty Simpson served as the main driving force behind Kalen DeBoer’s Alabama offense last season. Heading into training camp, Keelon Russell and Austin Mack are expected to carry on the competition for the Crimson Tide’s starting quarterback role.
Kalen DeBoer Gets Critical Update from Insider About Alabama’s QB Race
Russell looked like the better quarterback during A-day, but Mike Rodak has Mack as QB1.
“I’ve had Austin Mack as the current starter for the depth chart,” Rodak said. “I know people are shocked, right? Because Keelon Russell clearly had the better day. But I think really the word throughout the early part of the offseason, January, February, into March in the spring practice was like Austin’s a little bit ahead. He has experience with the system. He was the No. 2 last year.
“And I don’t think it was a huge gap. I would have leaned towards Austin Mack for a while. I don’t know if a day necessarily changes that. It’s just one practice. It was not a good day for Austin Mack, but I don’t know if that all of a sudden is like Keelon Russell is our starter.”
However, analyst Brad Crawford sees things differently and ultimately expects Russell to win the Week 1 starting role. He argues that Russell’s development could define Alabama’s 2026 season, especially if the run game improves significantly and Ryan Williams returns to form as the top receiver.
Russell looked like the best quarterback on the field during A-Day, as he passed for over 200 yards and four touchdowns. Meanwhile, Mack threw for 95 yards and one touchdown on the day, while dealing with a lingering injury. That issue limited him in practice leading up to the scrimmage, which also contributed to Russell taking a heavier share of reps, and Rodak says it should be considered in quarterback evaluation.
“Like, there’s still a lot of time,” Rodak said. “Obviously, you have all the summer workouts that will kind of happen behind the scenes. Then you have fall camp, and you could go three weeks in the fall camp and multiple scrimmages and all that. I wouldn’t put all the eggs in a day basket. We’ll have to see what happens.
“I think if Keelon Russell continues to play like he did on a day, it’s going to be hard to say no for him being the starter. But I also think the body of work throughout the spring for Austin Mack was better than what we saw in a day. That’s something that Kalen DeBoer said, that if you look at the highlight reel of Mack’s spring, that you would be impressed as well. Keelon Russell has all the opportunity and all the potential to take that job, obviously has the higher ceiling as a player as well.”
No official Week 1 starter is expected to be named anytime soon. Whoever wins the job will be tasked with leading an Alabama offense that finished last season ranked 81.7 in the PFSN College Football Offense Impact Metric.
