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Alabama Makes Early Decision on Starting Quarterback
0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. The Alabama Crimson Tide are shutting down the quarterback battle with two weeks to go before their season opener at home against East Carolina on Sept. 5.
The Crimson Tide had a battle between Keelon Russell and Austin Mack during training camp.
While some programs like Florida are expected to keep their quarterback battle going on throughout the entirety of camp in August, Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer wanted his starter to get into a routine before the start of the regular season.
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Per Pete Thamel of ESPN, Russell has been named the starting quarterback for Alabama.
"Sources: Alabama has named Keelon Russell the team’s starting quarterback. He won the job on camp over Austin Mack," Thamel posted on X. "This decision fits the timeline that Kalen DeBoer preferred. They have two weeks of practice for Keelon Russell to operate as QB1 and hone the packages that highlight his dual-threat ability."
Of the two quarterbacks, Mack earned more experience last season playing behind Ty Simpson, who became the No. 13 pick in April's draft by the Los Angeles Rams. Mack threw for 228 yards and two touchdowns. Russell threw for 143 yards and two touchdowns.
The decision to start Russell does not come as a surprise. Per numerous reports coming out of training camp, Russell appeared to have the edge in the competition. Many college football analysts predicted Russell would win the job this summer.
Russell, a six-foot-3, 201-pound athlete from Duncanville, Texas, will give Alabama's offense an extra dynamic for the running game, which was an issue for the offense last season. Russell rushed three times for 17 yards last season, but should see more use as a runner now that he has been named the starter.
Mack will provide the Crimson Tide an excellent backup option for a team that will enter the season ranked No. 13 with aspirations of returning to the College Football Playoff.
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