Alabama resigns quarterbacks Austin Mack, former five-star Keelon Russell

Alabama quarterbacks Austin Mack and Keelon Russell have resigned and will return to the Crimson Tide for the 2026 season. The two are expected to compete to replace Ty Simpson as the Crimson Tide’s starter.

Ty Simpson is off to the NFL, but both of his backups will return.

On Friday, Alabama announced through its collective that redshirt sophomore Austin Mack and freshman Keelon Russell have resigned with the Crimson Tide. The two QBs, who were listed as co-backups throughout the season, are expected to compete for the starting job.

Mack, who followed Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer from Washington to Tuscaloosa two years ago, had a 62-to-36 edge over Russell in total offensive snaps this season.

He completed 24 of 32 passes for 228 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions

Russell, a former five-star prospect, appeared in two games, preserving his redshirt. He has four years of eligibility remaining.

He was 11 of 15 passing for 143 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions.

During spring practice, Alabama offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb compared Russell to two former players on NFL rosters: Michael Penix Jr. and Jake Haener.

“One of the things I noticed about Jake Haener way back to Fresno State, he’s at the Saints now, Jake had a really whippy, quick release,” he said. “Once he made his decision, he was very decisive with the ball. I see that was Key a lot.

“And then Keelon’s vision reminds me of Mike a little bit, Penix. He has good, wide vision with the field and can see it even when he doesn’t know exactly what’s going on.”

Before the Rose Bowl, Russell spoke to Bama247. He called Alabama his home and said he was “100% locked in”

“Being developed is the biggest thing I came to college for,” he said. “I came to Alabama to be developed. So having that learning experience is the best thing, and that comes from patience.”

Russell said he blocks out the noise — the speculation about his future.

“I came to win national championships,” he explained. “You know what I’m saying? Like, we got a Rose Bowl coming up. So I don’t really worry about all those aspects. You know, my time’s gonna come. And I believe that for sure. I told Ty the other day, I said, ‘When my time comes, you’re gonna see me having a Heisman Trophy and I’m gonna invite you, man.’ Like this is gonna be a blessing. Like my time is gonna come.”

Does he feel ready to take the reins next season?

“Man, I’m always ready,” he said. “I’m always ready. I feel like — I know for a fact — I learned the playbook 100%. I know the playbook 100%. I feel very comfortable with everything that’s going on. Coach throws me in today or tomorrow, anytime, I feel like I’m gonna do nothing but just go out there and ball.”

Mack was similarly confident in his comments before the game.

“I’ve been putting in the work for a long time now,” he said. “I know I’m ready for the moment. I know I’m ready as a quarterback, so whenever I get the opportunity to kind of just show what I can do.”

Jett Thomalla, a four-star prospect and the No. 5 overall quarterback in the class, enrolled early and was able to participate in Rose Bowl practices.

He’ll be joined by Tayden Kaawa, a three-star prospect out of Utah.