Ranking Alabama football’s strongest positional groups ahead of 2026 season: Quarterbacks

Gary Cosby Jr. / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Ranking Alabama football’s strongest positional groups ahead of 2026 season: Quarterbacks

Originally posted on Touchdown Alabama Magazine
By Stephen M. Smith | Last updated May 10, 2026 4:48 PM ET

We are halfway through this series of ranking the strongest positional units for Alabama football ahead of the upcoming season.

In returning to offense, we look at the most discussed position in football: quarterback.

The Crimson Tide have an interesting competition between Austin Mack and Keelon Russell.

Both are talented, but the battle could go through preseason camp before a winner is decided.

-Positional Ranking: [5]

-Strengths: Size, arm talent, accuracy, knowledge of system, playmaking abilities

-Weaknesses: Lack of experienced depth, uncertainty

-Analysis:

Alabama has a good quarterback room, but Kalen DeBoer remains unsure of who will start offensively at the position.

Image | Source: Touchdown Alabama

Aug. 19, 2025, Tuscaloosa, AL; Quarterbacks Keelon Russell and Austin Mack throw during practice for the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Austin Mack and Keelon Russell have marquee potential. Both performed well in spring practice, while Russell put on a show in the spring game with five touchdowns.

Mack was the primary backup to Ty Simpson in 2025, completing 24-of-32 passes for 228 yards and two touchdowns in four games. Russell saw action in only two matchups, yet he had 143 passing yards and two touchdowns. The Crimson Tide can capture a championship with either one, but who puts it in a better position to be explosive?

Neither has huge game experience; however, the intangibles are there with both.

Fall practice will present us with more from them.

Alabama also has Jett Thomalla, John Gazzaniga, and Tayden-Evan Kaawa, all of which are 6-foot-4 and taller.

This article first appeared on Touchdown Alabama Magazine and was syndicated with permission.

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