Sources: Alabama names Keelon Russell QB1 for opener vs. ECUplayWhat Alabama fans can expect from Keelon Russell (1:06)Max OlsonAug 22, 2026, 11:59 AM ETClose
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- Graduate of the University of Nebraska
Alabama has named Keelon Russell its starting quarterback, sources told ESPN’s Pete Thamel on Saturday.
The former five-star recruit competed with senior Austin Mack throughout the offseason and won the battle to take over for first-round draft pick Ty Simpson in fall camp.
Russell, ESPN’s No. 2 overall ranked recruit in the class of 2025, appeared in two games during his freshman season with the Crimson Tide and threw for 240 yards with four touchdowns and an interception in their A-Day spring game in April.
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The 6-foot-3, 207-pound sophomore will lead an Alabama offense that is replacing six NFL draft picks, with Simpson going No. 13th to the Los Angeles Rams, and trying to get back to the College Football Playoff after an 11-4 run and No. 9 finish in the AP poll in 2025.
Russell joined Alabama after a decorated career at Duncanville High School in Texas, where he won two state championships and earned Gatorade National Player of the Year and Elite 11 Finals MVP honors as a senior.
Mack began his career at Washington in 2023 and is in his fourth year playing under coach Kalen DeBoer. He played 62 snaps last season as the primary backup, including 22 in relief of an injured Simpson in Alabama’s 38-3 Rose Bowl loss to Indiana in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals.
The preseason No. 13 ranked Crimson Tide open their season against East Carolina on Sept. 5 (12 p.m. ET, ABC).
