This entire offseason, most all conversations around Alabama have been something along the lines of “They improved a few areas from 2025, but we still don’t know who the QB is.”
Well, now we do. And he’s only a former #2 overall recruit who also happens to be the highest ranked recruit that Alabama has ever signed.
Keelon Russell has been named Alabama’s starting quarterback ahead of the 2026 football season, BamaOnLine has learned. Multiple national reports and Yea Alabama also confirmed it.
Russell,
a sophomore, has competed with senior Austin Mack all offseason. But the former began to pick up steam toward the end of spring practice. Mack was limited by an injury, and Russell had a strong showing throughout the week leading up to the A-Day scrimmage. He then had a big day throwing the ball, completing 21-of-33 passes for 240 yards, four touchdowns and one interception in front of the spring crowd that gathered at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
During Alabama’s two preseason scrimmages in August, Russell continued to impress those who were in attendance. Buzz about him likely being named the Tide’s starting quarterback picked up prior to the second and final scrimmage, and while head coach Kalen DeBoer did not tip his hand to reporters, Russell was ultimately named the UA starter over the weekend.
This is big news. I think most people expected Russell to wind up winning this job over the older Austin Mack. However, Russell coming in an clearly taking things by the reigns inspires much more confidence than other ways this could have played out, such as if we had gone into game one with the two rotating snaps until someone played better. Or even worse, starting Mack for a couple of games until one goes bad, then try to make a swap week 3 (looking at you, Nick Saban in 2023 and 2015).
Look, we don’t know how this will go, of course, but Keelon Russell brings a level of throwing ability and playmaking that the Tide hasn’t seen since Bryce Young. I’d argue that Russell may have an even higher ceiling than Young due to his size and better athleticism, but it’s kinda hard to actually have a higher ceiling than a Heisman winner and #1 overall draft pick.
Getting this announcement now injects a boost of energy into this program from both an internal sense and a national media perspective. Don’t be surprised if we start seeing more people talking about the Tide this week.
Now here’s some highlights of Russell’s plays so far in his first year at Alabama and in high school for you to get excited about until we get to see him in real time in a couple of weeks.
Roll Tide!
