The Alabama Crimson Tide once again has a major decision to make at the quarterback position headed into year three of the Kalen DeBoer era — the most open battle Nick Saban’s successor has had in Tuscaloosa.

With two contenders in last year’s backup, former Washington transfer Austin Mack and former top high school player in the nation Keelon Russell, each is making their case to be this team’s starter and prove that they give Alabama a better chance to win big in 2026.

It goes without saying that Russell has drawn more buzz among the fanbase than Mack, and his sky high ceiling is the reason why.

ESPN college football insider Tom Luginbill explained why Russell has so many people talking.

“What impressed me so much about that kid is how important the game of football was to him,” Luginbill said on his experience with Russell at the Under Armor game. “First one in the meeting room, then he’s in the coaches office watching tape after practice while other guys are going to do other things.”

“The level of importance and the adherence to becoming a student of the game really, really impressed me particularly at that age…There’s a lot of guys that are really talented playing the quarterback position who are really talented but don’t get the other side of it. He gets that part and it’s important to him…He’s a really special player.”

Russell really does look like the future of this program, and hearing that he is as impressive off the field as he is on it should have Alabama fans absolutely salivating at his potential.

He is going to have to beat out Mack in order to get the chance to be the team’s starter this year, but it does seem like things have trended that way as of late.

Michael Brauner is a Senior Sports Analyst and Contributing Writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP and hear him every weekday morning from 6 to 9 a.m. on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5, available free online.