Alabama Legend Nick Saban Gets Blunt on QB Battle

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The Alabama Crimson Tide still have not decided who will be their starting quarterback heading into the 2026 college football season, and although Keelon Russell has seemed to generate some separation lately, there are still no clear-cut answers.

Kalen DeBoer is still debating between Russell and Austin Mack, the latter of whom has been with DeBoer ever since the head coach's final year at Washington in 2023.

But does Nick Saban have an idea of who will be under center once the regular season opens against East Carolina on Sept. 5?

The Alabama legend was asked about the situation on the Pat McAfee Show, and he gave a rather blunt response.

“Yeah I don’t really know who the starter’s going to be," Saban said. “I think both guys are probably pretty capable. They’re a little different. Keelon Russell is a bit more athletic and running, is a good passer though. I don’t know where his decision making and development is relevant to the staff. The other guy, Mack, has a little more experience."

Saban raved about Russell earlier in the summer, making it pretty clear that he felt the redshirt freshman should be the starting quarterback without literally saying so.

But Saban feels that no matter who is taking snaps, the Crimson Tide need to be better in the trenches first.

“I don’t know exactly where they’re at with that. I think it’s going to be imperative the offensive line play better so that the quarterback, whoever it is, has an opportunity to play better because I thought Ty Simpson was under a hell of a lot of pressure the second half of the season all the time," Saban added. "And their ability to run the ball and stay in favorable down and distance is going to have something to do with that as well."

Saban then once again kind of, sort of campaigned for Russell.

“But I do not know who the starting quarterback is going to be and I have watched some of the tape and I’ve been very impressed with both guys," Saban said. "They’re different. Keelon is more of a playmaker because of his legs but that’s up to coach.”

The Alabama quarterback competition is unquestionably one of the most intriguing storylines across the country right now. Hopefully, we'll get to know the final result sooner rather than later.

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