Former Alabama QB discusses the gap between Keelon Russell and Austin Mack

Alabama’s quarterback battle between Austin Mack and Keelon Russell was on full display over the weekend during A-Day with Russell seizing the moment with the top performance of the day. Russell’s day added fuel to his campaign for the starting job, which will still need to play out this fall, but former Alabama quarterback turned college football analyst, Greg McElroy, believes whatever experience gap the redshirt freshman compared to Mack is gone.

“Here’s what I know coming out of Saturday,” McElroy said on Always College Football. “Right now, whatever gap that might’ve existed between Austin Mack and Keelon Russell, just based on experience, I think that’s probably evaporated.”

Russell passed for over 200 yards and four touchdowns during A-Day had essentially doubled the production of Mack who threw for 95 yards and one touchdown on the day.

Kalen DeBoer did note that Mack had entered the day battling a lingering injury which resulted in Russell seeing a majority of the offensive reps throughout practice leading up to the scrimmage.

Nevertheless, Russell’s day further cements that DeBoer and the staff will have an incredibly difficult decision come fall camp.

“We’re talking about the Gatorade National Player of the Year in high school. Arguably the highest rated signee in Alabama’s modern recruiting era,” McElroy said. “He’s not just a five-star that’s waiting to get his opportunity. He is getting his opportunity and so far he’s making the most of it.”