That's the question at Alabama, Tennessee, and Vanderbilt right now as all three programs are in the midst of tight quarterback battles featuring highly-ranked five-star recruits. Each prospect had the opportunity to create some separation in key scrimmages this weekend as the regular season approaches quickly. In Tuscaloosa, highly-touted prospect Keelon Russell is going back and forth with former four-star prospect Austin Mack.
While Mack has the edge in experience as a redshirt junior, Russell has elite tools, and he was the No. 2 player in the 2025 signing class. Russell also provides more mobility, which would be another weapon for DeBoer to use on offense. Tennessee will roll out a freshman no matter what happens as five-star true freshman Faizon Brandon and four-star redshirt freshman George MacIntyre go head-to-head.
MacIntyre has the edge when it comes to understanding the offense thanks to a full year in Josh Heupel's system, but Brandon brings true star potential as the No. 2 quarterback in the 2026 cycle. The No. 1 quarterback in the 2026 class was Jared Curtis, who chose Vanderbilt over Georgia and finds himself in a battle with veteran Blaze Berlowitz. Berlowitz's experience has proven valuable, but Curtis' upside has been apparent in his short time on campus.
It's only a matter of time until Curtis is the No. 1 option for Vanderbilt, but will that time be Week 1? Following this week's scrimmages, our 247Sports team sites gathered intel about on each set of quarterbacks performed. Here is the latest on key quarterback battles from around the SEC: The contenders: Keelon Russell (redshirt freshman); Austin Mack (redshirt junior) The buzz: According to 247Sports, Alabama moved the ball more effectively with Russell at quarterback as he "led the majority of scoring drives compared to Austin Mack." It doesn't sound like Mack had a poor showing, but Russell produced a few more "wow" plays following a slow start from both signal callers.
That's not necessarily surprising given Russell's mobility, and his "elusiveness" could prove to be a factor in the final decision. Although it seems like Russell has an edge exiting the first scrimmage, DeBoer said he doesn't "feel closer" to naming a starter at this point. What Kalen DeBoer said: "As the scrimmage went on, they both got better.
Both had their moments early where they could have executed better. They could use some help from some guys once in a while, they're not going to be perfect all the time. Operationally, I just think, again, it's them running the show, but everyone doing their part.
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