Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Austin Mack is going to love what Kalen DeBoer just said about the QB competition in Tuscaloosa
Alabama’s QB competition isn’t going anywhere according to head coach Kalen DeBoer. That’s great news for one of his two signal callers.
The Alabama Crimson Tide held its annual A-Day more than a month ago at this point, and while the prevailing notion was that Keelon Russell came away as the presumptive starter, Kalen DeBoer was sure to push back on that narrative, noting that Austin Mack was banged up during that contest and that this battle would bleed into the summer months and up to two weeks before the regular season.
Since then, however, we have seen both former and current Alabama players come out and say that Keelon Russell is the belle of the ball and that he does things that are rarely seen from such an inexperienced player. Even still, Kalen DeBoer isn’t ready to crown him just yet.
Austin Mack Facts
- California Native.
- Began his career at Washington.
- Transferred to Alabama with Kalen DeBoer in 2024.
Kalen DeBoer says Alabama’s QB competition is still wide open
“I’m not ready,” DeBoer told former Alabama QB Greg McElroy on ESPN College Football’s YouTube channel when asked about naming a starter. “I’m not ready. I think you mentioned it. I think the thing to say is that we do have two guys that you always talk about the— I talk about the ceiling for some of these guys, but also I think it’s also what’s the floor?”
“And I think knowing that, hey, at the very least we’re at this point, like it leaves a lot of optimism on what that room’s going to be and what it’s going to lead to as far as the production on the football field every Saturday.”
Why DeBoer’s comments are good news for Austin Mack
Let’s be honest for a second. Nothing has suggested that anyone other than Keelon Russell will start Week 1 against Eastern Carolina. The only person who has even floated the idea that this thing is still an open competition is DeBoer.
It just so happens that he’s the one whose opinion matters in this situation. He’s the one who will determine the outcome after summer workouts and fall camp. So if I’m Mack, while I may be the underdog, I know I still have as good a shot as anyone in that room to be the next starting quarterback for the Alabama Crimson Tide.