Josh Pate Sends Strong Message After Kalen DeBoer Names Keelon Russell QB1

The Crimson Tide's decision at quarterback came down to one trait that stood out above the rest.

Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer calls a play during the Alabama A-Day spring football scrimmage game at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer named Keelon Russell the team's starting quarterback on Saturday, ending a competition with Austin Mack that ran through spring practice and both fall scrimmages.

During his Sunday College Football Show, analyst Josh Pate discussed a recent visit to Alabama's campus and seeing the Crimson Tide scrimmage in person before the announcement. Pate broke down what separated the two quarterbacks and explained why the decision shifted his outlook on Alabama heading into the 2026 season.

What separated Keelon Russell from Austin Mack

Aug. 17, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell (12) throws at practice for the Alabama Crimson Tide. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Pate spent time with Alabama's coaching staff and watched both quarterbacks work before Russell won the job. He described the contrast between the two players in physical terms first. Austin Mack "looks like a giant" and "throws that ball hard," while Keelon Russell "just makes more stuff happen" and "the play stays alive longer" when he has the ball.

Pate said the decision came down to one trait more than any other. "Elite arm in terms of talent, elite mobility, really good at extending plays, really good at the second reaction stuff, really good at creativity, sharp player," Pate said of Russell.

Alabama quarterbacks coach Bryan Ellis offered a similar assessment through Yea Alabama, the program's NIL entity. "He's the guy that we know when the ball is in his hands, a lot of good s--- can happen," Ellis said.

DeBoer had declined to name a starter for weeks, telling reporters after Alabama's second scrimmage, "We can go win with either one of them."

Why Pate raised his Alabama projection

Pate said his record projection for Alabama moved after watching the competition play out. "I was probably leaning more 8-4, 9-3 range with Alabama going into the past week," Pate said. He settled on a 10-2 season for the Crimson Tide.

Pate pointed to Alabama's roster around Russell as a reason for his shift. He cited the program's secondary as "one of the best in the country" and called the defensive front "much bigger" than in past seasons. He also singled out freshman running backs EJ Crowell and Tawn Brown as pieces that could ease the burden on a first-time starter.

"They don't need 40 points per game this year," Pate said.

Russell, a five-star recruit out of Duncanville High School in Texas, appeared in two games for Alabama last season, completing 11 of 15 passes for 143 yards and two touchdowns. Mack followed DeBoer to Alabama from Washington and relieved an injured Ty Simpson in the Rose Bowl against Indiana.

Alabama opens the season at home against East Carolina on September 5 before beginning SEC play the following week at Kentucky.