Austin Mack And Keelon Russell Compete For Alabama’s Quarterback Job

BusinessSportsMoneyAustin Mack And Keelon Russell Compete For Alabama’s Quarterback JobByTim Casey,Senior Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Tim Casey is a reporter who covers basketball and sports business.Follow AuthorAug 19, 2026, 06:00am EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell (12) throws a pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Eastern Illinois , Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.During Nick Saban’s final 16 seasons as Alabama’s football coach, the Crimson Tide never lost more than three games in a season and had zero or one loss eight times. Saban led the program to six national titles before retiring in early 2024. But Alabama has lost four games in each of coach Kalen DeBoer’s first years.This season, the team has a more manageable schedule, although it has yet to name a starting quarterback, as Austin Mack and Keelon Russell are competing for the role. The decision could determine whether the Crimson Tide advances past the quarterfinals of the College Football Playoff for the first time since DeBoer arrived.On Monday, offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb told reporters that Alabama was “close” to making a quarterback choice and said he would likely make the announcement by next week. The Crimson Tide opens the season on Sept. 5 against East Carolina.Each of the 12 teams ranked above No. 13 Alabama in the preseason Associated Press poll have named a starting quarterback. Many have returning starters, including the top five teams: Ohio State, Oregon, Georgia, Notre Dame and Texas. But that’s not the case with Alabama.While Mack and Russell do not have much experience in college, they were each top recruits coming out of high school. Mack was the No. 73 player in the high school class o...