Just when you thought the hype surrounding Alabama redshirt freshman QB Keelon Russell couldn't get any bigger, senior safety Bray Hubbard threw a stick of dynamite on it this week and caused it to explode even more.
Russell, the No. 2 overall recruit in the 2025 recruiting class, took a significant step toward the starting QB job by outplaying Austin Mack during the A-Day scrimmage. Mack has the experience edge over Russell, but it's hard to find anyone who doesn't agree that Russell significantly increases the Crimson Tide's ceiling.
The things he's shown in practice have been special, even to veteran defensive backs like Hubbard. It's perhaps even more noteworthy how much Hubbard has been impressed by the redshirt freshman phenom, considering Hubbard saw limited reps during spring due to injury.
If Kalen DeBoer wanted to keep the hype down, his soon-to-be 2026 captain isn't following orders. The hype will reach a fever-pitch now.
Keelon Russell has impressed everyone during spring practice
“You can hear the ball sizzle when he throws it,” Hubbard said of Russell, via USA Today. ...“Keelon is a younger guy. Austin has been in the system (longer), but I will say, Keelon has got a cannon. He gets us all the time with some balls. I’m like, ‘Wow, that takes a really impressive arm to throw.’ ”
DeBoer isn't in any rush to name a starting quarterback. He isn't expected to do so until a couple of weeks before the season. There's no real incentive to do it early. Heading into the summer, there's a role reversal for Russell and Mack that could change things.
For the first time, Russell is the presumptive favorite. He can't allow that to change his preparation. On the other hand, Mack came into spring practice as the favorite and now has some ground to make up. Perhaps that motivates him to take a significant leap this summer.
Ty Simpson didn't let his status as the favorite after spring practice change how he worked. DeBoer noted that Simpson, who had a good spring a year ago, took a massive leap over the summer. The QB competition was never really in doubt this time last year.
Mack knows the system better than anyone in the QB room. He's going into his fourth year under DeBoer. He's got a big arm, too. But Russell's athleticism is an underrated part of his game, and his elusiveness in the pocket could be a big weapon, particularly with an offensive line lacking in experience.
The competition isn't over, and the summer and fall will be pivotal. But it's starting to look more and more like Russell has the upper hand, and it'll take a big leap by Mack to overtake him.
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