Overview
- Kalen DeBoer said Wednesday at SEC Media Days that the quarterback battle between Austin Mack and Keelon Russell is very close and that both players are "more than capable."
- DeBoer plans to divide first‑team reps between Mack and Russell in training camp and intends to name a starter in the weeks leading to the Sept. 5 season opener against East Carolina.
- Nick Saban publicly backed both quarterbacks and singled out Keelon Russell as a high‑upside playmaker who could be an outstanding player in the future.
- Both candidates enter 2026 with limited game work from 2025: Mack finished with 24 completions on 32 attempts for 228 yards and two touchdowns while Russell was 11 of 15 for 143 yards and two touchdowns.
- Whoever wins the job will do so with fewer live reps than Ty Simpson had when he earned the starting role, a factor that could affect early‑season timing and on‑field chemistry and makes camp performance and preseason reps especially consequential.