Somehow, Kalen DeBoer just locked in college football’s best QB room

Alabama's football program is set to retain quarterbacks Keelon Russell and Austin Mack for the 2026 season, following the departure of Ty Simpson, who declared for the NFL Draft as a potential first-round pick. Simpson's exit opens up a competitive quarterback battle at Alabama, which now boasts one of the strongest QB rooms in college football.

Russell, a five-star recruit from the 2025 class, redshirted his freshman year and will compete alongside Mack, who transferred from Washington with coach Kalen DeBoer. Mack, heading into his redshirt junior year, has previously sat behind notable quarterbacks at Washington and Alabama, including Jalen Milroe and Simpson.

The decision to stay at Alabama presents a significant opportunity for both Russell and Mack, who are competing for the starting position in one of college football's most anticipated quarterback competitions. This scenario is especially noteworthy as many high-profile quarterbacks from recent classes have quickly secured starting roles or transferred to other programs. The compensation details for Mack and Russell