Alabama QB battle sees a major swing following spring game

Q: What were Keelon Russell's stats in the Alabama spring game?

Keelon Russell completed 21 of 33 passes for 240 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception during the Alabama spring game.

Q: Why was Austin Mack limited during the Alabama spring game?

Austin Mack was limited due to a minor preexisting injury, which affected his performance and playing time.

Q: Who is likely to start as Alabama's quarterback in Week 1 after the spring game?

Following the spring game, it appears that redshirt freshman Keelon Russell may be forced to start as Alabama's quarterback in Week 1.

Alabama QB battle sees a major swing following spring game

TL;DR

The Alabama Crimson Tide's spring game highlighted a significant shift in the quarterback competition, with redshirt freshman Keelon Russell outperforming fourth-year junior Austin Mack. Russell threw for 240 yards and four touchdowns, while Mack struggled with a minor injury, completing only 6 of 12 passes for 101 yards.

Alabama QB battle sees a major swing following spring game originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The 2026 Alabama Crimson Tide spring game drew tons of attention to the battle for QB1 between fourth-year junior Austin Mack and redshirt freshman Keelon Russell. Following the scrimmage, Kalen DeBoer might be put in a tough situation where he’s forced to start a freshman come Week 1.

Russell led the Tide on nine total drives for the day, throwing 21/33 for 24o yards, four touchdowns, and one interception. Mack, in five drives, went 6/12 for 101 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.

Although Mack started the day, he was limited due to a minor preexisting injury and did not receive any medical attention on the sideline.

“We just had to limit Austin just with some stuff. That was why,” DeBoer said. “This week was a little bit where Keelon got more reps, just with some things Austin’s going through. Austin’s good for the most part, but wasn’t able to finish it out. But he’ll be fine.”

Both Russell and Mack did see action in the 2025-26 season. Mack appeared in four games, including the CFP quarterfinal against Indiana, going 24/32 for 228 yards and two touchdowns. Russell saw action in two games, throwing 11/15 for 143 yards and two touchdowns as well.

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The last time Alabama started a redshirt freshman in Week 1 was in 2016 with Blake Barnett, who was later replaced in that same week by then true freshman Jalen Hurts, who remained the starter for the remainder of the year.

Alabama kicks off their season on September 5th against ECU. An answer on their QB1 should be made long before then.