What would Alabama football’s offense look like with Austin Mack starting at quarterback?

Dec 31, 2024; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Austin Mack (10) throws the ball before a game against the Michigan Wolverines at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

Alabama football has not named a starting quarterback ahead of the 2026 football season, with Keelon Russell and Austin Mack continuing to compete for the spot.

In a two-part series, Touchdown Alabama is taking a look at how the Tide’s offense could look under Russell or Mack. Mack is next up.

What would Alabama football’s offense look like with Keelon Russell starting at quarterback?

Mack was the primary backup for the Crimson Tide last season in his second year with the team. He was the first quarterback off the sideline when Ty Simpson was subbed out, despite him and Russell being listed as backups with the word ‘or’ separating their names on the Tide’s official depth chart throughout the 2025 season. The California native transferred to Washington when Kalen DeBoer took the head coaching job in Tuscaloosa.

If Austin Mack has shown one thing in his limited action as a quarterback at Alabama, it’s that he likes to push the football down the field and take shots. In his first taste of action in an Alabama uniform against Mercer, he threw three passes. One of those was a 31-yard deep ball Rico Scott pulled in towards the back of the endzone.

Alabama football’s offensive players will be competing at positions across the board this spring.

The Austin Mack & Keelon Russell QB battle will get a lot of attention, but competition elsewhere is just as intriguing. https://t.co/y4r8IGpZjy

pic.twitter.com/Mj4iJIm13N

— Justin Smith (@Jdsmith31Smith) March 3, 2026

This happened again when Mack took over for Ty Simpson in the Rose Bowl. In the middle of the third quarter he found Germie Bernard while slinging the football down the field.

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Austin Mack fits it in the breadbasket for Germie Bernard 😳

— CFB Barstool (@luxasfnbr1) January 1, 2026

So, if there is a favorable shot down the field, look for Mack to take it. He took a couple in the Tide’s spring game. Unfortunately, one was intercepted.

Mack is a big quarterback at 6-foot-6 and 232 pounds, and he appears to be really comfortable operating from the pocket and standing strong in it. While there may be more design rollout plays if Russell gets to start for the Tide, they may not be as popular in a Mack-led offense. He will likely operate from inside the pocket more often.

The California native has flashed great pocket presence in the past. There have been several times he has moved up in the pocket when pressure was coming from the edge and stayed relaxed, displaying a great feel.

While he is not known for his ability to run and is not considered to be really athletic, Mack can use his feet to pick up some yards and has flashed an ability to make the most of his limited rushing attempts by getting up the field when he is called upon to run, as he seems to have a good feel for when he needs to run. This likely means there will not be as many design quarterback runs if Mack is the Tide’s starting quarterback.

Alabama’s running backs will likely have to carry the majority of the load of the Tide’s rushing attack if Mack were to start.

The Crimson Tide’s quarterback battle continues on.