2026 Alabama Fall Football Preview: Quarterbacks
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Wild ride, huh? QB battles are always intense for fanbases, but this one felt like it may have been the most competitive QB battle for Alabama fans since the Jalen/Tua years. While all the other positions out there will rotate throughout a game and often times you have multiple on the field at once, the QB is a whole different animal. The entire identity of a football team is always intrinsically tied to the QB, so choosing who it will be is always a monumental moment.
And, well, thankfully, we don’t have to roll into the season with an ongoing competition to see if anyone stands out (we really don’t want 2023 all over again). Kalen DeBoer has named the starter, and and so we go into 2026 knowing that this squad will be defined by one guy.
The Guy
#12 – Keelon Russell (RFr) 6’3” 207
Depending on which recruiting service you use, Russell was arguably the highest ranked recruit that Alabama has ever signed, edging out Bryce Young, Julio Jones, Andre Smith, and Cyrus Kouandjio. He was fully recruited by Kalen DeBoer, not Nick Saban, so Russell, in theory, represents the first time that this Alabama squad is truly in DeBoer’s image.
To this point, we haven’t seen him a whole lot in live action. He looked great in a couple of short appearances in mop-up duty last season (that TD throw to MJ Chirgwin on the left sideline was a beautiful ball), and he was lights-out during the A-Day game. Still, he’s only a redshirt freshman, and that’s in an era of college football where everyone is going for 5th year senior transfer QBs. So there’s definitely some risk involved with the Tide rolling with one so young.
That said, Russell, by all accounts, has the full confidence of the team. The players know who can ball, and hearing them talk about Russell with a sense of awe in their voices this offseason was telling. He’s a special player with one of the most elite arms you’ll see and a preternatural vision of the field. Oh, and he was also a track star who can do some major damage on the run.
Essentially, if Russell works out, Alabama is in very good shape.
The #2
#10 – Austin Mack (RJr) 6’6” 237
Man, have you ever felt as bad for someone as you do for Mack not winning this job? The veteran followed Kalen DeBoer from Washington, sat behind Jalen Milroe and then Ty Simpson, and even played a half for the Tide in Simpson’s stead in the Rose Bowl. Mack’s got the veteran presence, the loyalty, and a prototypical build with a rocket arm. By all accounts, he probably should be the starter, had Keelon Russell not been such a force of nature.
Mack is still an excellent back up to have. You never know what might happen, and having someone like him is a blessing and a luxury.
The Reserves
#15 – Jett Thomalla (Fr) 6’4” 229
Thomalla is a small-school midwest kid that was a three star prospect before people started catching on and he blew up his senior year to become a 5-star prospect. Thomalla brings all the potential and playmaking in the world, but scaling that up from his level of competition in high school is going to take some time.
He looked solid at A-Day, though, and has gotten quite a few good reviews this fall.
#11 – Tayden-Evan Kaawa (Fr) 6’5” 238
Kaawa is a BIG guy from Hawaii who played his high school ball in Utah. Kaawa is an impressive athlete who comes from more of an RPO offense. He’s got some impressive upside with his size, athleticism, and arm strength, but is ultimately a long shot to be the guy the down the road.
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