Opportunity unexpectedly came knocking for redshirt sophomore QB Austin Mack in the Rose Bowl against Indiana. With Ty Simpson suffering a cracked rib late in the first half of Alabama's blowout loss, Mack entered the game on the Crimson Tide's second possession of the second quarter.
He led Alabama's only scoring drive of the game, one that resulted in a short Conor Talty field goal, but the Tide's offense was held out of the endzone in a humiliating 38-3 defeat on New Year's Day.
Mack acquitted himself nicely in a difficult position, completing 11-of-16 passes for 103 yards. It was potentially his first audition for the Alabama starting QB job in 2026 - or perhaps tape to add to his Transfer Portal highlight reel.
The portal opens today, and Mack's decision is a big one for the future of Alabama's QB room. His decision likely hinges on what Simpson decides to do. If Simpson foregoes his final year of eligibility to enter the NFL Draft, then Mack might see a path to the starting gig in Tuscaloosa and could return to compete with freshman phenom Keelon Russell.
If Simpson chooses to return, then Mack will almost certainly hit the portal. With only two years of eligibility remaining, he needs to play. And he's clearly ready to do so, whether that's in Tuscaloosa or somewhere else. He was asked about his pending decision after the Rose Bowl, and he offered a noncommittal answer:
"I'm right here right now," Mack said. "As of right now, I'm standing in the Rose Bowl locker room coming off a game. I still got to diagnose that, and honestly, I'm just kind of taking it day by day."
Austin Mack taking it "day-by-day" with Transfer Portal decision looming
Clarity should come in the next couple of weeks. The portal is open from January 2nd through January 16th. He has a little bit of time to decide, but not much. The NFL Draft early entrant deadline is one day before the portal closes on January 15th.
Mack could always choose to enter the portal while keeping the option open to potentially return to Tuscaloosa.
He's a talented kid, and some of his throws against Indiana will further raise eyebrows for programs in the market for a starting quarterback next season.
Alabama might be one of those teams, but it depends on Simpson's pending decision. The redshirt junior would be the unquestioned starter for the Crimson Tide in 2026 if he chooses to remain in college. If he goes pro, then perhaps Mack stays to battle it out with Russell for the job.
But holding off the phenom won't be an easy task.