The Alabama Crimson Tide have named their starting quarterback for the 2026 season.
Keelon Russell, a former five-star recruit, has won the quarterback job and will start Alabama’s season opener against ECU, according to Pete Thamel of ESPN. Russell beat out senior Austin Mack for the role.
Sources: Alabama has named Keelon Russell the team’s starting quarterback. He won the job on camp over Austin Mack. pic.twitter.com/ckgiQ4JEoS
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) August 22, 2026
The choice is a bit of an upset, as Mack was more experienced and served as Ty Simpson’s primary backup in 2025. He has spent four years playing for Kalen DeBoer, and knows his system well. Mack even appeared in the Rose Bowl after Simpson suffered an injury.
Russell, however, is the more highly-touted prospect. He was the No. 2 recruit in the class of 2025 and played in two games as a freshman last season. He is regarded as an excellent playmaker with a high ceiling.
Alabama has six relatively straightforward games, albeit at least one warm one, before they face the murderers’ row of George, Tennessee, Texas A&M, and LSU. That should give Russell time to get comfortable before the big tests arrive.
