Getting Austin Mack and Keelon Russell to return for the 2026 season was a major boost for the Alabama Crimson Tide. Based on potential, the Alabama Crimson Tide is in great shape with a competition between Mack and Russell. Next fall's QB1 winner will be short on experience, but not on talent. Alabama's new quarterback assistant coach, Bryan Ellis, arguably has the best quarterback duo in college football.
Both quarterbacks have physical tools beyond those of Ty Simpson. And as the 2026 season progresses, whichever one becomes Alabama's next QB1 can be expected to improve rapidly. It is possible that in the second half of the 2026 season, the Crimson Tide will be better at quarterback than it was with Ty Simpson.
With the accepted potential of Mack and Russell and the anticipated potential of the two 2026 signees, the Crimson Tide can be said to have the deepest QB room in college football. Which leads to consideration of a potential 'what if.'
Will the Alabama Crimson Tide have a QB3 who can be counted on if needed? A serious injury to Russell or Mack would mean a freshman backup would be one play away from becoming Alabama's quarterback.
Alabama Crimson Tide Quarterback Backups
Jett Thomalla rose to 5-star status late in the 2026 recruiting cycle. At 6'3" and 220lbs., physically, Thomalla was ready for college football upon his arrival in Tuscaloosa. His Nebraska high school stats are impressive, and he won Nebraska's Player of the Year in back-to-back seasons. Alabama flipped him from Iowa State, even though Thomalla knew there would be a logjam in front of him in Tuscaloosa. An overused phrase describes Thomalla perfectly; he has a cannon for an arm.
Rivals had Tayden Kaawa as a 4-star, but, averaging other rankings, he was a 3-star recruit. Some assessments define Kaawa as the most underrated quarterback in the 2026 class. Like Thomalla, he has a big-time QB body. 6'5" and 235lbs. Also like Thomalla, Kaawa has a strong arm. Not expected to challenge Thomalla for the QB3 role, Kaawa brings needed depth and long-term potential to move up the depth chart.
Loads of talent and scarcity of experience is the Alabama Crimson Tide's 2026 quarterback situation. At the least, what evolves will be interesting.