Ryan Grubb tells where Alabama quarterbacks stand after multiple practices

Alabama Quarterback Austin Mack (10) in action during practice at Thomas-Drew Practice Fields in Tuscaloosa, AL on Friday, Mar 13, 2026. Photo by Rodger Champion

Heading into the spring, the quarterbacks were arguably the most anticipated positional group to see for Alabama this spring. As expected, junior quarterback Austin Mack is leading the group through practice, with redshirt freshman Keelon Russell getting his fair share of reps as well.

However, in a situation like this, especially this early into the year, the order of rotation through drills has no real bearing on where the battle for the starting job actually stands. There’s no doubt; this will be a tight battle until September.

Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb gave his evaluation of where the quarterbacks stand following practice on Thursday.

“They’re doing really good. First two practices were awesome,” Grubb said. “Today, there was a little bit of a regression. Heavier install, some things they had to work through today. They are both doing awesome. Competitive. They got the right spirit in the room. They’re attacking all the preparation and doing a really good job.”

Both quarterbacks looked good through practice on Thursday, putting their impressive talent on display. However, it may be worth noting that it did seem as though Mack was dealing with a few more incompletions than Russell was.

A few mistakes during an early practice won’t make or break the battle, though. But Grubb and the staff will be looking to see something that sets each of them apart throughout the course of spring practice.

“Control the offense and take care of the football,” Grubb said. “I mean, I think that’s the first thing. The locker room piece has to build. Both those guys have to take a leadership position, but just trying to control the offense, take care of the ball and just run the system.”

Neither of them has true starting experience, so they will each need to truly showcase why they should earn the title of starting quarterback. Mack does have the junior status to back him up, having had a few years to get comfortable with the system.

But Russell, although he hasn’t gotten the chance to see the field much in just one season in Tuscaloosa, was rated as one of the best quarterbacks in his class out of high school for a reason: he has plenty of raw talent that allows him to excel.

On the field, though, they’re both very talented, capable quarterbacks. Grubb gave his take on the two after practice.

“Obviously, Keelon is a really, really good athlete. So I think his feet come into play,” Grubb said. “I think you saw in the Rose Bowl, obviously, Austin can run a little bit. He had a touchdown scramble in the season as well, so it’s not like Austin can’t run, but there’s a piece of athleticism there with Keelon that’s different than some guys. And then as far as the arm talent, they are both extremely talented as far as pushing the ball all over the field. There’s not going to be a throw that I have in a game plan that I have one that I couldn’t do with the other. Both have quick releases. Accuracy is something both are working on. Very similar guys. I don’t think, other than Keelon’s feet, that there is a massive difference other than size.”

That’s the hard part about this competition: they have very similar play styles, making it even harder to identify the strengths and weaknesses of each signal-caller. That is also why the battle on the field will come down to all the nitty-gritty aspects.

It will be interesting to see if either of them will be able to secure an early lead through the spring. However, if last year’s quarterback battle says anything about this year’s, it’s that it’ll come down to the wire, quite possibly even a game-time decision.