Alabama’s fall camp has been defined by a quarterback competition that remains unresolved heading into the second preseason scrimmage.
Coach Kalen DeBoer, who took over the program this year, said after the latest practice that neither Austin Mack nor Keelon Russell has distanced himself enough to earn the first‑team nod, even though both showed flashes of improvement.
Both signal callers entered the drill with limited collegiate experience — each has logged fewer than 70 snaps at the college level — and DeBoer noted that early missteps were part of the learning curve.
What stood out was the need for a faster start; the coaching staff wants the eventual starter to set the tone from the opening snap of every game‑like session.
The Path to the Opener
The next test will come on August 20, when the Crimson Tide stage another intra‑squad scrimmage before opening the season against East Carolina on September 5.
DeBoer’s measured stance reflects a broader philosophy: patience in development, emphasis on execution, and a willingness to let the competition play out on the field.