Why Kalen DeBoer needs Keelon Russell, Austin Mack back with Alabama football
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MOBILE — Another quarterback battle has begun for Alabama football. But to Kalen DeBoer, that is not the part that is “huge.”
With the departure of Ty Simpson to the NFL draft, the Crimson Tide retained both Austin Mack, who has two seasons of eligibility remaining, and Keelon Russell, the former five-star freshman who redshirted his first season and appeared in two games in 2025.
“It’s huge,” DeBoer said of retaining Mack and Russell in 2026. “Two guys that know our system at quarterback. Just, again, with an offensive line that’s got some leaders that are gone, two quarterbacks that can carry over from last year, what we did and keep it moving forward.”
Alabama has one returning starter from its offensive line: Michael Carroll, who just finished his freshman season. The Crimson Tide added five offensive linemen in the 2026 recruiting class and another six via the NCAA transfer portal.
Mack was the first quarterback off the bench behind Simpson, taking over the offense in the Crimson Tide’s College Football Playoff quarterfinal loss to Indiana at the Rose Bowl. He completed 11 of 16 pass attempts for 103 yards against the Hoosiers.
Russell is the highest-rated quarterback recruit Alabama has signed since Bryce Young. In two games, Russell completed 11 of 15 pass attempts for 143 yards and two touchdowns.
Alabama also signed Nebraska four-star Jett Thomalla and Hawaii three-star Tayden Kaawa in the 2026 recruiting class.
Alabama opens its 2026 season Saturday, Sept. 5, against East Carolina.
Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cgay@gannett.com or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Kalen DeBoer talks Alabama football retention of Austin Mack, Keelon Russell
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