Alabama's 2026 QB battle is set with two critical announcements

Stop me if you've heard this before, but Kalen DeBoer officially has another quarterback battle brewing on his hands this spring after Alabama officially announced the resigning of both Austin Mack and Keelon Russell for the 2026 season.

This quarterback carousel continues to spin for Alabama after redshirt junior starter Ty Simpson announced his intentions to declare for the 2026 draft earlier this week on Wednesday. That series of moves officially means DeBoer will have his third QB under center in his three seasons in Tuscaloosa after watching Jalen Milroe and then Simpson command the huddle during his first two seasons on campus. But for DeBoer and Alabama, which QB will that be?

Austin Mack vs. Keelon Russell will be a battle of talented QBs

Cases can be made for both Mack and Russell after backing up Simpson in 2025, seeing the two show flashes in limited snaps. DeBoer handpicked both quarterbacks out of high school, watching Mack follow DeBoer from Washington to Alabama after signing with the Huskies as a four-star recruit in 2023 and then seeing Russell become DeBoer's prized gem in 2025 when the former 5-star signee committed to Alabama as the highest-rated prospect in program history.

Some may assume that Mack appears to have the early nod after seeing Alabama lean on his services first in blowouts against ULM and Eastern Illinois, throwing for a combined 13 of 15 passing for 125 yards, to go along with a 20-yard touchdown in those two games. They might even double down on this sentiment after watching the 6-foot-5, 235-pound redshirt sophomore complete 11 of his 16 attempts for 103 yards against Indiana when he replaced an injured Simpson in the second half of the Rose Bowl.

But then again, some may try to counter this point after watching Russell shine against those same teams, as the redshirt freshman completed 4 of 6 passes for 65 yards and two touchdowns against the Warhawks in his collegiate debut. The 6-foot-3, 195-pound Texas native followed this up against EIU in Alabama's final home game last fall, connecting on seven of his nine passes for 78 yards, to go along with 16 additional yards on the ground.

In my mind, this is a good problem to have. I say this because, for one, either one of the QBs could've easily decided to hit the transfer portal. Instead, they'll stay in Tuscaloosa this spring and fall to compete head-to-head for the opportunity to be named Alabama's starter to open the season seven months from now against East Carolina at home on September 5th.

This dynamic now leaves DeBoer and second-year Alabama offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb with another QB conundrum to settle. It'll be interesting to see which direction they'll go after experiencing different styles under center the past two seasons with Milroe and Simpson. Regardless, this decision will be a significant one with DeBoer entering a pivotal third season as Alabama's head coach.