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What is the biggest advantage Austin Mack has over Keelon Russell in Alabama’s QB race?

Originally posted on Touchdown Alabama Magazine
By Stephen M. Smith | Last updated Mar 15, 2026 10:17 PM ET

It is the million dollar question everyone asks at this time of year for Alabama football.

Crimson Tide fans are excited about the quarterback competition between Austin Mack and Keelon Russell.

Both have the star power to make this conversation as compelling as Jalen Hurts versus Tua Tagovailoa in 2017. Ryan Grubb, Alabama’s offensive coordinator, highlighted the strengths of both signal callers last week in his media viewing.

The two have similar traits; however, there is a glaring advantage Mack has over Russell.

Mack, who enters his third season at the University of Alabama, possesses more experience in the Grubb/Kalen DeBoer system.

Why is Mack’s experience significant?

Nothing compares to having time on task and extensive knowledge of something.

Mack graduated Folsom High School a year early at 17 years old to fast track himself into DeBoer/Grubb’s scheme at Washington. He learned the structure and terminology behind Michael Penix Jr. in 2023, assisting the Huskies to a Pac-12 Championship and a berth in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game. Mack did not think DeBoer would leave Washington for Alabama to fill the shoes left by Nick Saban, but his head coach took a chance. The 6-foot-6, 232-pounder betted on himself and followed DeBoer to Tuscaloosa, Ala. In two seasons, Mack has added more experience with DeBoer.

Image | Source: Touchdown Alabama

Alabama Quarterback Austin Mack (10) during practice Spring Practice at Hank Crisp Indoor Facility in Tuscaloosa, AL on Thursday, Mar 12, 2026.

He served as the Tide’s primary backup to Ty Simpson in 2025 and that means a lot.

Mack got the call to enter the Rose Bowl matchup against Indiana after Simpson was pulled because of an injury.

He completed 11-of-16 passes for 103 yards and led a scoring drive. Mack connected on 24-of-32 passes for 228 yards and two touchdowns in four games. He knows DeBoer so well that he can process, diagnose, dissect, and spit out this offense in a way that could propel Alabama to its first national championship in the post-Saban era. Russell is highly gifted, but it is an uphill battle to expect him to supplant two years of experience ahead of him. The former five-star has to show he not only has the better skill set, but he can also process the offense better than Mack. Experience is not everything, but it means something.

Bryce Young, a former 5-star was talented, but Mac Jones’ experience won him the starting job in 2020 and Alabama captured a CFP National Championship with Jones having an exceptional season. Jalen Hurts proved experience did not matter in 2016 as he became the first true freshman starter at quarterback, but the Tide did not have anyone to command the offense.

Mack is more capable than David Cornwell, Blake Barnett, and Cooper Bateman.

According to Grubb, Mack can push the ball downfield and has accuracy. If a quarterback race is close, the tie goes to the upperclassman. Russell has to blow everyone away in spring practice, but Mack’s experience has him as the favorite.

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

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