Naming Ty Simpson his starting quarterback wasn’t the only quarterback decision facing Kalen DeBoer, but he doesn’t seem interested in making the other one. Both Austin Mack and five-star freshman Keelon Russell pushed Simpson in a three-way QB battle, and their battle to be QB2 doesn’t have an end in sight.
“We won’t really get into that as far as who’s the second,” DeBoer told the assembled media following practice last week. “These guys are going to keep competing. That’s for every position. So, right now, there’s a balance in some things we do, the reps, but there’s certainly coordination on who’s getting those reps as well.”
Alabama won’t settle QB2 battle between Austin Mack and Keelon Russell unless it has to
There’s not much advantage to DeBoer naming an outright QB2 heading into Week 1. There’s value to the competition between Mack and Russell, which adds pressure to their practices and should keep both players sharp as they navigate the season on the sidelines. It also prevents both players from considering an early departure to the transfer portal after sinking down the depth chart.
Ty Simpson has two years of eligibility remaining, so if he acquits himself well this season, he could be back as the starter for 2026. If he does return as the clear incumbent, it will likely entice, at least Mack, if not both backups, to test the open market, and that would be disastrous.
Regardless of whether he’d be QB2 or QB3 right now, Russell is the future of the position in Tuscaloosa. He was the No. 2 overall player in the 2025 recruiting class and the No. 2 QB behind Bryce Underwood, who is starting in Year 1 at Michigan. DeBoer must preserve his relationship with Russell, and naming him QB3, even as a true freshman, could be damaging.
Ultimately, DeBoer may never have to name a QB2. He could give both Mack and Russell a taste of action in blowout victories, and, so long as Simpson stays healthy and plays well, he won’t have to insert a true backup for meaningful snaps.
Unfortunately for Mack, who followed DeBoer to Tuscaloosa from Washington, he may not have a place in the program moving forward, other than a sparing partner and a measuring stick for Russell.
If the moment comes when Simpson has to be replaced, whatever the circumstances, if it’s Mack, that’s an indication that Russell requires more time to develop. If it’s Russell, then he’s beaten out a former highly-touted recruit with multiple years of experience in this offensive system. Either way, it’s a useful data point on the most enticing talent in the program.