With the 2026 college football season set to begin very soon, Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer has named his starting quarterback for Week 1 against East Carolina.
Sophomore quarterback Keelon Russell has been competing with redshirt junior Austin Mack since the spring. During an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” Alabama legend Nick Saban offered his thoughts on the program’s quarterback battle.
“I think it’s going to be imperative, though, that the offensive line play better so that the quarterback, whoever it is, has an opportunity to play better because I thought Ty Simpson was under a hell of a lot of pressure the second half of the season all the time. And their ability to run the ball and stay in favorable down and distance is going to have something to do with that as well,” Saban said, via On3. “But I do not know who the starting quarterback is going to be, and I have watched some of the tape. I’ve been very impressed with both guys. They’re different. Keelon is more of a playmaker because of his legs, but that’s up to coach.”
Clearly, DeBoer agrees with Saban’s thoughts about Russell being a playmaker.
According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, the Crimson Tide have named Russell their starting quarterback for the beginning of the season.
David Leong-Imagn Images.
Large shoes to fill in Tuscaloosa.
Ty Simpson was highly efficient for Alabama in 2025, completing 64.5% of his passes for 3,567 yards with 28 touchdowns and five interceptions. He managed to thrive in DeBoer’s offense despite having a reliable running game.
While the expectation at Alabama is that its offense will have a better rushing attack, Russell will have to prove he can move the chains at a high clip. If not, Mack could eventually get the starting job.
Alabama’s win total for this season is currently set at 8.5.
