Kalen DeBoer compares Alabama's quarterbacks
Alabama football head coach Kalen DeBoer compares and contrasts the strengths of Austin Mack and Keelon Russell in the Crimson Tide's quarterback competition heading into the 2026 season.
Video Transcript
Guys that are in their different, uh, years as far as, you know, Austin going into his 4th year, uh, really the 4th year in this system, uh, Keelen going into his 2nd.
So there's a little bit of a difference there.
Um, You know , I, I know that both of them would say what they know now versus what they even knew a year ago.
Uh, I think especially in Keelan's case, when it comes to just football knowledge , of understanding of the offense, understanding of how you attack a defense, uh, defensive structure, I think their, their reps have, uh, You know, have helped them really take these big jumps, uh, especially in the last 5 months.
Uh, so, um, and I think last year helped them too, uh, with the reps that, that we did, we gave them.
Uh, that we're very intentional with how we distribute them.
Uh, and so, you know, I think skill set-wise, uh, you're talking about, you know, a much taller, bigger, you know, quarterback with Austin.
Um, Austin, I think will surprise people when he really gets out and, and runs, uh, cause he runs very well.
Um, better, I think, than most people think.
Uh, Keelan is very versatile that way, uh, you know, has created with his legs, uh, you know, as a high school football player, uh, you can see it at times.
It's hard to replicate when you're in practice and a guy's not live, uh, and what that might lead to on the football field in a, in a game.
But, Uh , both of them are more than capable.
Uh, I think they're high-level elite quarterbacks.
Um, fortunately, we have them both in our program, and, uh, it's going to be a competition that's going to lead to a tough decision.
Um, it's one that we're fortunate to have, um, and it's going to be one that when we do make the decision that we'll be confident we'll do a great job because they are two guys that are well respected by our entire football team because of how they work, who they are as people, and the production and what they look like on the football field.
