Overview
- Yea Alabama announced that quarterbacks Austin Mack and Keelon Russell signed deals to return for 2026, creating a two-man race to replace Ty Simpson.
- Mack, Simpson’s 2025 backup, finished the Rose Bowl in relief and went 11-of-16 for 103 yards, while Russell, a former five-star, completed 11-of-15 for 143 yards and two touchdowns in limited action.
- AL.com reported at least one program offered Simpson a package up to $6.5 million for 2026, with three SEC schools reportedly presenting offers of $4 million or more.
- The Tuscaloosa News reported Simpson has not yet signed his draft paperwork and is not in the portal, though sources close to him expect he will remain in the draft.
- With the transfer portal open through Jan. 16, Alabama’s retention of both quarterbacks via its NIL collective underscores a roster-stability strategy in a thin QB market.