Alabama names Keelon Russell starting QB entering 2026 season
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Keelon Russell is Alabama’s starting quarterback entering the 2026 season. Russell, a sophomore, had been competing with Austin Mack, a 4th-year quarterback who followed Kalen DeBoer from Washington.
The decision was announced via Yea Alabama, the program’s NIL entity.
Keelon Russell has officially been named the starting quarterback.
— Yea Alabama (@yea_ala) August 22, 2026
Read more here: https://t.co/yO1M9qD9Yt pic.twitter.com/9fJVMxbgOX
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“Keelon is gonna be the starting quarterback here because he’s a playmaker. He’s the guy that we know when the ball is in his hands, a lot of good shit can happen,” Alabama quarterbacks coach Bryan Ellis told Yea Alabama, per Pete Nakos of On3.
As a freshman, Russell appeared in 2 games for the Crimson Tide in 2025. He completed 11-of-15 passes for 143 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Out of Duncanville (Texas) High School, Russell was one of the top recruits in the Class of 2025. He was rated 5-stars, the No. 1 player in Texas, No. 2 quarterback and No. 2 prospect overall on the 247Sports Composite. Russell chose Alabama over scholarship offers from 22 other programs, including Ole Miss and SMU.
Alabama opens the 2026 season at home against East Carolina on Sept. 5. The Crimson Tide begin SEC play on the road at Kentucky in Week 2.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaign of Fred Taylor.
