The Alabama Crimson Tide has its starting quarterback.

According to reports over the weekend from numerous outlets and confirmed by Yea Alabama, sophomore former five-star recruit Keelon Russell has been named QB1 by head coach Kalen DeBoer.

Sources: Alabama has named Keelon Russell the team’s starting quarterback. He won the job on camp over Austin Mack. pic.twitter.com/ckgiQ4JEoS

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) August 22, 2026

Keelon Russell has officially been named the starting quarterback.

Read more here: https://t.co/yO1M9qD9Yt pic.twitter.com/9fJVMxbgOX

— Yea Alabama (@yea_ala) August 22, 2026

Things had been trending this way for several weeks, and ultimately, it’s not a huge surprise to see the staff go in this direction.

Despite Mack serving as the backup in 2025 with Russell behind him as a freshman, ultimately, the talent of Russell was able to shine throughout spring practice and fall camp, and DeBoer decided the tantalizing upside of the Texas native was enough to give him a shot to take the reins.

Russell is the highest-rated quarterback recruit in school history, even more so than Bryce Young or Tua Tagovailoa — two  extremely notable five-stars coming out of high school.

He will still have to prove himself, but in terms of on-paper talent, it does not get a whole lot better than what Russell brings to the table.

Russell’s first career start will come on September 5 against East Carolina before hitting the road in week two to take on Kentucky. Tide fans who were already excited about the season just got a whole lot more giddy with the news.

The future is now for Alabama, and that future is Keelon Russell.