The Alabama football faithful is buzzing with hope after the hiring of Ryan Grubb as the Crimson Tide’s offensive coordinator.
The Tide’s 6-foot-6 redshirt freshman quarterback, Austin Mack should be a happy young man today as well.
Mack is reuniting with the coach, who recruited him to Washington out of Folsom High School in California. He is also reuniting with one of the coaches, who encouraged him to leave Washington to go to Alabama.
The personal connection between Mack and Grubb was apparent the moment the new Alabama coordinator was introduced to the Seattle media in February of 2024 as the Seahawks’ offensive coordinator. Grubb talked about how he had talks with Mack and his parents about him possibly not being able to see the end of his collegiate career as his coach.
“Austin’s unique in the sense that when I recruited Austin, talking to Brad and Lisa his parents, that he knew this was a possibility,” Grubb said. “Whether it was this year, next year, at some point, I told him that there’s a good chance that I wouldn’t get to see the end of his career. So I think honest conversations like that when you recruit kids help when transitions like this happen.”
Mack played under Grubb and Kalen DeBoer for one year in Washington. The experience he garnered during the year should give him an advantage of the other two quarterbacks in this competition. His familiarity with Grubb should as well as he has given his coordinator praise in the past for his growth.
“Over this year, I’ve grown immensely — especially with coach Grubb, especially having Mike and D-Mo,” Mack said ahead of the 2024 Sugar Bowl to media members. “It’s been something I’m very grateful for.”
The former four-star graduated a year early from high school after throwing for more than 3,000 yards and 40 touchdowns while only throwing five interceptions as a junior. How much Mack has grown over the last two football seasons and how much he will grow during this off-season will play a huge role in his ability to compete to be QB1 in Tuscaloosa.
Mack’s ability to work from the pocket and deliver the football with accuracy were some of the brightest spots from his junior campaign.
Watch Austin Mack High School Highlights Below:
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Justin Smith is the Director of Recruiting for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via @Jdsmith31Smith
