For the third time in as many seasons at Alabama, head coach Kalen DeBoer entered a campaign with a different quarterback running his offense, according to USA Today. The 11th-ranked Crimson Tide placed the offense in the hands of Keelon Russell, the youngest playmaker yet for DeBoer in Tuscaloosa, following a hotly contested quarterback battle with veteran Austin Mack. Russell won the job and first-team reps ahead of the team’s Week 1 opener against East Carolina at Bryant-Denny Stadium, becoming the most inexperienced Alabama quarterback to be named a starter since Jalen Hurts in 2016.
Keelon Russell Takes Helm as Alabama’s New Starting Quarterback
DeBoer explained during an August 24 media availability that Russell won the job due to his comfort, command, and execution of the offense. Quarterbacks coach Bryan Ellis described Russell as a playmaker, while former Alabama coach Nick Saban praised his talent and potential during SEC Media Day in July on the SEC Network. Russell arrived in Tuscaloosa as a five-star prospect and the No. 2 overall recruit in the 2025 class out of Duncanville High School, where he threw for 7,444 passing yards and 97 career touchdowns while completing 71.3% of his passes. During his freshman season in 2025, Russell appeared in two games against the University of Louisiana Monroe and Eastern Illinois, completing 11 of 15 passes for 143 yards and two touchdowns alongside three rushes for 17 yards.
Depth Behind Center With Austin Mack
Despite naming Russell the starter, Yahoo Sports noted that Alabama maintains a formidable backup plan in Austin Mack, giving the program what analysts describe as one of the top quarterback combinations in the country. Mack knows DeBoer’s offensive system better than almost anyone in the quarterback room, having originally played for DeBoer at Washington before following him to Tuscaloosa. Mack spent multiple years learning the terminology, protections, reads, and expectations of the offense, serving as the primary backup behind Ty Simpson last season and completing 24 of 32 passes for 228 yards and two touchdowns.
Throughout the competition, DeBoer and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb repeatedly emphasized their comfort with both players, expressing confidence that the team could win at a high level with either quarterback leading the offense.
Russell Shines in 50-36 Win Over Florida State
By September 19, Russell’s development was on full display as Giants Wire reported on Alabama’s 50-36 victory against Florida State. After a sluggish first half where the Crimson Tide offense floundered and relied on field goals from Conor Talty, Russell sparked a turnaround just before a 34-minute lightning delay. Facing a third-and-5 from the Florida State 28-yard line, Russell connected with Lotzeir Brooks for 7 yards before throwing a 21-yard slant to Cederian Morgan for his first collegiate score.
In the second half, Russell led the offense to six touchdowns across seven drives, finishing the night completing 76.7% of his passes for 320 yards, adding 56 rushing yards, and scoring four total touchdowns—including a 57-yard scamper late in the third quarter. The performance marked Alabama’s third 50-point game against an Football Bowl Subdivision opponent in the DeBoer era.
NC State Suffers Fumble-Related Collapse
While Alabama surged forward, other programs faced steep disappointment, according to Sports Illustrated. NC State suffered a rare loss after leading Vanderbilt 31-28. Wolfpack quarterback CJ Bailey took a snap in his own end zone, slow-played getting down for a safety, fumbled the football, and watched Commodores cornerback Jordan Matthews recover it for a go-ahead touchdown.
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