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While at 2026 SEC Media Days, Alabama football coach Kalen DeBoer felt fortunate about the Crimson Tide's upcoming quarterback battle, calling candidates Austin Mack and Keelon Russell "more than capable" of handling first-team reps and both "high-level elite quarterbacks."
After Alabama's first fall practice, one that officially kicks off the final stretch to name Ty Simpson's successor, one word came to DeBoer's mind
"I thought they were consistent," DeBoer said. "Couple of explosive plays in there. Couple plays where you could see them getting on the same page with a receiver-type guy. ...Just little details. So I thought they were consistent and loved the demeanor. Loved their command. When they're into it, you can see the belief the guys have in them."
For Mack and Russell, who each carry less experience than Simpson had when he was named as a first-time starter in 2025, this is the floor in terms of what DeBoer needs from whoever will take the first snaps against East Carolina and whoever will take the most snaps overall in 2026.
"We talk about response," DeBoer said. "Someone's going to want to play every down, right? So it's going to be something when you're going against each other. You just try and make that as game like as possible. What's the response? That's a live football and momentum: getting it on your side and keeping it on your side."
Alabama will open the 2026 season at 11 a.m. CT Saturday Sept. 5 at Bryant-Denny Stadium against East Carolina.
Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at [email protected] or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter or Instagram @colingaytnews.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: This word describes state of Alabama football QB battle at start of fall camp
Continue reading...
After Alabama's first fall practice, one that officially kicks off the final stretch to name Ty Simpson's successor, one word came to DeBoer's mind
"I thought they were consistent," DeBoer said. "Couple of explosive plays in there. Couple plays where you could see them getting on the same page with a receiver-type guy. ...Just little details. So I thought they were consistent and loved the demeanor. Loved their command. When they're into it, you can see the belief the guys have in them."
For Mack and Russell, who each carry less experience than Simpson had when he was named as a first-time starter in 2025, this is the floor in terms of what DeBoer needs from whoever will take the first snaps against East Carolina and whoever will take the most snaps overall in 2026.
"We talk about response," DeBoer said. "Someone's going to want to play every down, right? So it's going to be something when you're going against each other. You just try and make that as game like as possible. What's the response? That's a live football and momentum: getting it on your side and keeping it on your side."
Alabama will open the 2026 season at 11 a.m. CT Saturday Sept. 5 at Bryant-Denny Stadium against East Carolina.
Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at [email protected] or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter or Instagram @colingaytnews.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: This word describes state of Alabama football QB battle at start of fall camp
Continue reading...
