With Jalen Milroe departing for the NFL, the Alabama Crimson Tide HC Kalen DeBoer faces his first quarterback conundrum. The spring break workout clips of Ty Simpson and Keelon Russell made people think the QB race was just down to the two.
However, recent developments from spring practice throw a curve into that narrative. Austin Mack is proving that he’s very much in the mix.
Alabama QB Race Heats Up as Austin Mack Impresses
According to On3 Sports’ Pete Nakos, Mack, the redshirt sophomore who transferred from Washington Huskies to Alabama in Jan. 2024, has firmly established himself as a serious contender for the starting QB role in Tuscaloosa.
The sophomore QB reportedly gave a standout performance during Alabama’s fourth spring practice on Tuesday, March 18. Despite this, the competition remains wide open. Simpson continues to make a strong case for the QB1. Meanwhile, Russell’s steady improvement keeps him firmly in the battle.
Nakos also reported that Alabama aims to keep the QB1 competition until August if circumstances allow. So don’t expect an official announcement for the starter anytime soon.
Mack, a former four-star recruit from the 2023 class, was ranked as the No. 16 QB in the On3 Industry Rankings. He began his college career with the Huskies before reuniting with DeBoer in Alabama after just one season. He was the No. 18 QB and No. 98 overall player in the transfer portal. In the 2024 season, he was Milroe’s backup and saw action in just one game, completing two out of three passes for 39 yards and a touchdown.
Mack’s deep understanding of DeBoer’s offensive scheme gives him an edge in a battle where every rep counts. Despite his impressive showing, Nakos made it clear that it’s a tough one. Still, Mack’s rise isn’t just smoke – it’s a pivotal factor that could define Alabama’s offense as they head into the fall.
KEEP READING: Former Alabama QB Believes There’s a Gap Between ‘Ty Simpson and Everybody Else’ to Become Alabama’s Starting QB
Alabama’s 2025 season opener is against the Florida State Seminoles on Aug. 30.
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