Alabama Names Keelon Russell Starting QB for Sept. 5 Opener as DeBoer Ends 2-Man Battle
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Aug 22
Alabama Names Keelon Russell Starting QB for Sept. 5 Opener as DeBoer Ends 2-Man Battle
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Aug 22
Summary
Sophomore Keelon Russell will start Alabama’s Sept. 5 opener against East Carolina after Kalen DeBoer ended one of college football’s highest-profile quarterback competitions.
Russell beat senior Austin Mack for the job despite the pair combining for only 50 career passing attempts; Russell threw just 15 last season, while Mack had more experience in DeBoer’s offense.
Alabama still chose Russell’s upside — the former five-star 2025 recruit was viewed as the higher-ceiling option and now becomes the face of a young team projected sixth in the SEC preseason media poll.
The decision comes in DeBoer’s third season after Alabama reached the CFP last year but closed with a 38-3 Rose Bowl loss to Indiana, adding weight to a rare true preseason QB battle.