The one detriment to signing a top QB is that it makes it much more difficult to sign one the next year. In the 2025 class, Alabama signed an elite QB in Keelon Russell, a 5-star signal-caller and the No. 2 overall player in the entire country. He is the future of the program, no matter how this season's QB battle goes.
But developing depth behind Russell for the future is proving to be difficult. The Crimson Tide currently has three scholarship QBs on the roster. There's a nonzero chance that Russell is the last man standing in the current room after this season. Most figure Ty Simpson will start this season and then move on to make way for Russell. Austin Mack won't be content sitting behind a player younger than him, and if that writing is on the wall, he figures to enter the Transfer Portal following this season.
With Russell on the roster, Kalen DeBoer and company swung and missed on top targets for the 2026 class like Jared Curtis and Dia Bell. They were forced to move down the board and ultimately zeroed in on New Jersey QB Derek Zammit, a low 4-star recruit.
Over the weekend, Zammit announced his commitment to Washington. There's a clearer path to playing time in Seattle for Zammit than there is in Tuscaloosa, though DeBoer and OC Ryan Grubb certainly pushed to land the talented, developmental signal-caller.
With Zammit off the board, Alabama is running out of options in the 2026 recruiting class for a QB. They certainly aren't done swinging for the fences. They've made overtures in trying to flip Tennessee commit Faizon Brandon and Houston commit Keisean Henderson, the top two quarterbacks in the class according to 247.
Henderson seems locked in with Houston and you have to figure if Brandon was a realistic flip target, that became a lot more of a long shot following the drama and abrupt exit of Nico Iamaleava from Knoxville. The Vols will do whatever it takes to hang on to Brandon.
There is an in-state option in Landon Duckworth, a consensus 4-star from Jackson. The Crimson Tide hasn't made much of a recruiting effort with him. Interestingly enough, neither has Auburn. It appears Duckworth will be leaving the state, with South Carolina and Ole Miss being rumored as the two most likely suitors.
Where does Alabama turn at QB for the 2026 class with Zammit off the board?
Signing Day is still eight months away, so anything can happen. Last year, Alabama found a gem in Russell and flipped him over the summer from his commitment to SMU. Russell then saw a meteoric rise up the rankings as he dominated the Texas high school competition on his way to winning the Gatorade National Player of the Year award.
Options might feel limited, but commitments don't mean what they once did, either.
Alabama could circle back to USC commitment Jonas Williams, a four-star recruit from Illinois. The Trojans are still pushing for Ryder Lyons and are unlikely to sign both.
Alabama has also shown interest in two-sport athlete Matt Ponatoski from Cincinnati. The composite 4-star wants to play baseball and football in college and could be a nice addition for DeBoer and Rob Vaughn alike.
DeBoer and company could ultimately decide to take a flyer or two on lower-rated, developmental prospects. Guys like 3-stars Cole Bergeron from Louisiana, Travis Burgess from Georgia, and Ohio's Nathan Bernhard have intriguing size and physical tools that could be tempting.
If all else fails, Alabama could peruse the Transfer Portal and look for a veteran backup option that way, though most veterans in the portal will be looking for a clearer path to playing time than Alabama can offer.
The Tide will find a QB or two to fill out the roster next year. Who that player or players will be remains to be seen.