Alabama legend reveals who he believes has the upper hand in Tide’s QB competition

Alabama Quarterback Keelon Russell (12) in action during practice at Thomas-Drew Practice Fields in Tuscaloosa, AL on Friday, Mar 13, 2026. Photo by Rodger Champion

A former Alabama running back is ready to watch Alabama’s signal callers battle it out for the starting quarterback job in Tuscaloosa, and he briefly shared his thoughts on the Crimson Tide’s ongoing quarterback competition.

On The Triple Option podcast, Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram II believes there is a player that has the upper hand in the current Alabama quarterback competition.

“I’m looking forward to Keelon Russell at Alabama,” Ingram II said. “They haven’t announced a QB1 yet, but I think he kind of has the upper hand right now. Looking forward to Keelon Russell. We have Austin Mack as well, a tall, physical guy at Alabama, so I’m looking forward to seeing how that competition plays out at Alabama.”

Russell gained support from fans and former players after his showing at Alabama football’s A-Day in the spring, but Mack is still firmly in the running for the starting job because of his experience in Kalen DeBoer’s system. According to DeBoer, Mack was “dinged up” heading into A-Day, and Russell received more reps because of that. This allowed the Alabama fanbase a chance to see Russell in game-like situations and compete more against Alabama’s best defenders.  

Fall camp will be the beginning of a new chapter in this Alabama quarterback competition.