Kalen DeBoer dropped a subtle hint that may change everything in Alabama's QB battle

Nothing has been decided in Alabama's QB competition as fall camp approaches. This isn't like last year.

While Ty Simpson was not officially named the starter until a couple of weeks before the season started, it was a foregone conclusion after spring practice that Simpson was going to be the guy.

This year, the competition remains wide open between Austin Mack and Keelon Russell. The popular sentiment is that Russell is the favorite after his terrific showing during the A-Day scrimmage back in April. Anointing Russell as the heir apparent to Simpson is premature, however.

DeBoer made it a point to note after the scrimmage that Mack was a bit banged up, and that's why Russell took the majority of the reps. And at SEC Media Days on Wednesday, DeBoer's comments may have hinted at Mack actually being the favorite going into fall camp.

“Both of them are more than capable; I think they’re high-level elite QBs… and it’s going to be a competition that will lead to a tough decision," DeBoer said.

DeBoer made sure to note, however, that Mack had two additional years of experience in his system than Russell. He was also quick to praise Mack's athletic ability, with many using Russell's legs as the potential separator between the two.

DeBoer stated that Mack's legs would "surprise a lot of people."

Austin Mack should not be discounted in Alabama's QB competition

My read on DeBoer's comments at SEC Media Days isn't necessarily that he believes Mack has the edge. I think the comments are calculated. Russell received all the praise out of spring practice, and the court of public opinion already handed him the keys to the offense.

So DeBoer wants Mack to hear publicly that he's still very much alive in the competition. He also wants to make sure Russell continues working at the same level that allowed him to take a big jump over the last year.

It's coach speak. Very effective coach speak.

Because now DeBoer has changed the conversation a bit. The QB battle isn't the foregone conclusion that so many assumed after spring practice. Mack still has a legitimate chance of winning the job.

His experience will play a critical role in that. Russell has more raw talent. He may have as much raw talent as any QB in the country. But is he ready to lead the offense? Can he limit the back-breaking mistakes that could cost the Crimson Tide in close games?

DeBoer is confident that Mack can effectively manage his offense. He trusts him. He's been with him for three years, nurturing and developing every part of his game mentally and physically. Trust goes a long way for a coach and a QB. It's on Russell to earn that same level of trust that Mack already has with DeBoer and OC Ryan Grubb.

Russell has to win the job. It's not going to be handed to him. And based on DeBoer's comments at SEC Media Days, it's clear that Russell still has a lot of work to do to earn the role.

Today's best reads

• Mark Ingram offers his take on Alabama's QB battle and who has the 'upper hand'
• Kalen DeBoer in no hurry to name starting QB, but the answer is right in front of him
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• The 5 determining factors that'll define each month of Alabama's 2026 season
• Alabama's 5 biggest recruiting wins of the decade show Kalen DeBoer's recruiting chops

This article was originally published on bamahammer.com as Kalen DeBoer dropped a subtle hint that may change everything in Alabama's QB battle.