Georgia football rival names starting quarterback
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
A major rival of the Georgia Bulldogs has announced their starting quarterback. The Alabama Crimson Tide has named redshirt freshman Keelon Russell as their QB, according to Pete Nakos of On3.
Russell won the starting job over senior Austin Mack in a competition that went back to January. Mack was actually the main backup behind Ty Simpson last season, coming in for a few games, including Alabama's blowout loss to the Indiana Hoosiers. Overall, he completed 24 of 32 passes for 228 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions.
However, Russell has more upside than Mack. As a member of the class of 2025, he was originally a three-star committed to SMU on Sept. 21, 2023. His stats ballooned from 2023-24. In 2023, he racked up 3,483 yards, 38 touchdowns, and just three interceptions; in 2024, he had 4,177 yards, an insane 55 touchdowns, and five interceptions. He improved to a five-star and the No. 2 quarterback in the nation.
On June 4, 2024, he flipped from SMU to Alabama, and he signed on Dec. 4, 2024. Now, he will get to show his talents off.
Alabama plays Georgia on Oct. 10, 2026. The last time the Bulldogs played an underclassman Alabama quarterback was when they played Bryce Young in the 2022 national championship. Young won the Heisman Trophy in 2021, and he won the 2021 SEC championship against Georgia, but Georgia came out on top in the national championship, winning 33-18.
Georgia starter Gunner Stockton won the starting job in the 2025 offseason after Carson Beck transferred to Miami. He started his first game in the 2025 Sugar Bowl against Notre Dame after Beck suffered a torn UCL in the SEC Championship game against Texas.
Follow UGA Wire on Instagram, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) or Threads for more Georgia football coverage!
This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: Georgia football rival names starting quarterback
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos