Alabama’s 2 backup quarterbacks from the 2025 season will now have a chance to compete to be the Crimson Tide’s starting QB for the 2026 season.
With Ty Simpson declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft earlier this week, Austin Mack and Keelon Russell announced on Friday that they are returning to Tuscaloosa next season to try to succeed Simpson as the main guy behind center for the Tide.
According to a report on Friday night by Yea Alabama, Mack agreed to a deal to return to the program for next season. Mack backed up Simpson during the 2025 season and made an appearance in the Rose Bowl quarterfinal loss to Indiana when Simpson left due to injury.
The return of Mack to Alabama for the 2026 season keeps the redshirt sophomore quarterback together with head coach Kalen DeBoer for at least another year. Mack originally committed to play for DeBoer at Washington, then followed DeBoer to Alabama when DeBoer succeeded Nick Saban as head coach in Tuscaloosa.
Mack threw for 228 yards with 2 touchdown passes and 0 interceptions in very limited action this past season while playing behind Simpson. He still has 2 years of eligibility remaining and will spend at least 1 of them back at Alabama in 2026.
BREAKING: QB Austin Mack will be returning to Alabama for the 2026 season. Sources: Alabama quarterback Austin Mack has agreed to a deal to return to the Crimson Tide this season. He was Alabama’s back-up quarterback this season and came in for Ty Simpson in the Rose Bowl,… pic.twitter.com/uBV5cZDf8j
— Yea Alabama (@yea_ala) January 9, 2026Meanwhile, Mack could have some real competition to win that starting job this coming fall, with Russell also returning to Alabama. Russell’s 2025 stats looked a lot like Mack’s, with the true freshman throwing for 143 yards, 2 TD passes and 0 interceptions.
BREAKING: QB Keelon Russell will be returning to Alabama for the 2026 season. t.co/26q4BP8mR3 pic.twitter.com/Zi6jWnfNTh
— Yea Alabama (@yea_ala) January 9, 2026Suddenly, with Friday’s 2 announcements, the Alabama quarterback room is a bit crowded again, with 2 QBs who were forced to watch in 2025 yearning for a shot to be the starter in 2026.
With Simpson gone to the NFL, Mack and Russell now have that chance front and center this fall.
Alabama QBs Austin Mack, Keelon Russell reveal plans for the 2026 season Saturday Down South.
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