Keelon Russell is the winner of Alabama‘s quarterback competition.
The sophomore was named the No. 13 Crimson Tide‘s Week 1 starter on Saturday, according to multiple reports. Russell had been competing with Austin Mack as Alabama searched for Ty Simpson‘s successor.
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Russell signed with Alabama in 2025 as the top recruit in the state of Texas. The Duncanville native was the No. 2 quarterback and No. 2 recruit in his class behind Michigan‘s Bryce Underwood. With many quarterback situations settled across college football heading into the season, Alabama’s competition between Russell and Mack was by far the most high-profile this August.
As Simpson took over for Jalen Milroe in 2025, Russell appeared in two games as Alabama’s No. 3 QB. He threw 15 passes and completed 11 of them for 143 yards and two scores. He also rushed three times for 17 yards.
Mack was Simpson’s backup last season. The former Washington transfer came to Alabama when the school hired coach Kalen DeBoer to replace Nick Saban. Mack, who played in the Rose Bowl after Simpson was injured, appeared in four games overall in 2025. He was 24-of-32 passing for 228 yards and two touchdowns.
While Mack could be considered the more polished passer, Russell gives Alabama a greater running threat at quarterback. During SEC media days, DeBoer was asked about the QB competition and talked about how both players had grown in the offense.
“I know that both of them would say what they know now versus what they knew a year ago — I think especially in Keelon’s case when it comes to football knowledge — understanding of the offense, understanding how you attack a defense, defensive structure, I think their reps have helped them really take these big jumps, especially early in the last five months,” DeBoer said.
“So I think last year helped them too, with the reps we give them. We’re very intentional with how we distribute them, and so I think skillset-wise, you’re talking about a much taller, bigger quarterback with Austin. Austin I think will surprise people when he really gets out and runs because he runs very well; better I think than most people think.
“Keelon is versatile that way, you know, has created with his legs as a high school football player. You can see it at times. It’s hard to replicate in practice and a guy is not live.”
Alabama opens the season on Sept. 5 vs. East Carolina, before heading to Kentucky in Week 2 and hosting Florida State ahead of seven straight SEC games. The 2026 season is the first since 2008 that Alabama hasn’t been in the top 10 of the preseason AP poll. The Crimson Tide finished the 2025 season at 10-4 after losing the SEC title game to Georgia and the Rose Bowl to Indiana after a first-round playoff win at Oklahoma.
