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The Alabama Crimson Tide don’t know who will be their quarterback just yet for the 2026 season.
That’s what fall camp is for. At least, that’s what it’s for this season.
Last season, the Tide came into camp knowing that Ty Simpson would be the starting quarterback. Heading into 2026, head coach Kalen DeBoer is evaluating a quarterback battle between Austin Mack and Keelon Russell.
Mack is a 6-foot-6, 236-pound redshirt junior who was Simpson’s primary backup last season. A former four-star recruit, he committed to DeBoer at Washington and then followed him to Tuscaloosa.
Russell, a redshirt freshman, is a former five-star quarterback and top recruit.
Neither player separated from the other during spring ball, so the Tide came into camp with a true quarterback battle.
And how did the first day of practice go for the quarterbacks?
“I thought they were consistent,” DeBoer said, according to AL.com. “A couple of explosive plays in there. A couple plays, just see getting on the same page with a receiver-type guy. Might not be a receiver. Tight ends. Running backs. Just little details. I thought they were consistent. Loved the demeanor. Loved their command that went into it. You can see the belief the guys have in them.”
Alabama Crimson Tide and Kalen DeBoer under pressure to win in 2026
One would imagine that DeBoer will give this a few weeks to play out. He could even use the East Carolina Game in Week 1 as a proving ground, but the Tide won’t have long to ease into the season. An SEC opponent on deck for Week 2 is Kentucky.
Consistency is a great word for a quarterback, but Alabama has title expectations, and DeBoer is going to need more than just consistency out of that position.
He’s not going to tip his hand before he has to, of course, but the quarterback that ends up getting the starting nod is going to have a ton of pressure on him to produce.
DeBoer was also asked on Wednesday if his players pay attention to the Tide being ranked No. 11 in the college football coaches poll. They haven’t been ranked that low since 2008.
“We are definitely aware,” DeBoer said.
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