The prevailing opinion among college football experts is the 2027 Alabama Crimson Tide will not have Austin Mack or Keelon Russell. The second-place finisher in the 2026 starting quarterback competition is expected to transfer. Mack has two seasons of eligibility left. Russell played in only two games in the 2025 season. His full college career is ahead of him.
With Mack and Russell, Alabama is short on game experience, but not short on talent. Mack knows the offensive system from years of learning. The poise Mack showed in the Rose Bowl indicated a young man mentally prepared to step up. While Mack may not be a sensational runner, he has all the physical tools to be an outstanding quarterback.
Based on potential and practice reports from last season, Keelon Russell has a 'Wow' factor: arm strength, accuracy, pocket presence, true running threat, and a leadership mentality. Ryan Grubb said at the start of spring practice that Russell is so smart that a deep understanding of the offensive system has happened quickly.
Kalen DeBoer and his staff are recruiting to add two quarterbacks for 2027. The 2026 position group includes Jett Thomalla and Tayden-Evan Kaawa. Thomala was the more highly-touted recruit, but both freshmen have starter potential.
The Crimson Tide holds a commitment from 2027 class, 4-star quarterback Trent Seaborn. More significantly, Alabama is projected as a heavy favorite to land the top 2027 class QB, 5-star Elijah Haven. Haven would be quite a get for the Crimson Tide. The 6'4", 220 lbs. Haven is the epitome of a dual-threat QB. As a high school junior, he completed 73% of his passes for almost 4,000 yards. He rushed for 800 yards. He produced a staggering 73 touchdowns.
Alabama football fans are excited that Kalen DeBoer is the favorite to nab a top QB from Lane Kiffin's backyard. Haven plays for the Dunham School in Baton Rouge. His team won a state championship last season, and Haven was selected as the Louisiana Gatorade Player of the Year.
In the 2027 season, Alabama will not have Austin Mack, Keelon Russell, Jett Thomala,
Tayden-Evan Kaawa, Trent Seaborn, and Elijah Haven in the quarterback room. The loser of the Mack vs. Russell battle will likely transfer, plus if Haven signs with Alabama, possibly Thomala and Kaawa would also exit.
In that 2027 scenario, Alabama would be loaded with talent at quarterback, but short on depth. The Tide's QB3 that season would be less talented and more inexperienced. Kalen DeBoer would be one major quarterback injury away from having unproven quarterbacks forced into lead roles.
DeBoer may not have a dilemma if he can land Haven. Which makes him the 'must-get' in the 2027 class.