Ryan Grubb feels Alabama football has two of the best QBs 'in the country'

Ryan Grubb is excited about the direction of Alabama football’s quarterback room.

With Ty Simpson off to the NFL draft, the Crimson Tide is bringing back both Austin Mack and Keelon Russell, who are set to battle it out for starting reps ahead of the 2026 season.

While at the Alabama Football Coaches Association convention, Grubb praised both Mack and Russell and what they could be for Alabama next year.

“You know, our quarterback room in general, I think a lot of people were waiting to see what we would do in the portal,” Grubb told WAKA-TV. “With Austin Mack and Keelon Russell, we got exactly who we need. They’re two of the best quarterbacks in the country.”

Asked directly about Russell, Grubb said the redshirt freshman has “incredible vision, mindset and just his intelligence on the field is special.”

While at a 2026 Senior Bowl practice, Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer said it was “huge” both Russell and Mack are returning to Alabama for the 2026 season.

“Two guys that know our system at quarterback,” DeBoer said. “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 also added Tayden Kaawa and Jett Thomalla in the 2026 recruiting class.

Alabama opens the 2026 season against East Carolina on Saturday, Sept. 5.

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: What Ryan Grubb said about Alabama QB Keelon Russell, Austin Mack