As Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer weighs his options in Tuscaloosa, analyst Josh Pate refutes rumors of a clear frontrunner in the neck-and-neck battle between Austin Mack and Keelon Russell.
The biggest quarterback competition in college football this summer is going on in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Head coach Kalen DeBoer will need to decide between Austin Mack and Keelon Russell before the Alabama Crimson Tide's first game at home against East Carolina on Sept. 5.
During Josh Pate's College Football Show on Sunday night, college football analyst Josh Pate wanted to pump the brakes on any reports that Russell is winning the job right now. He's hearing the race is tight.
“I would say the highest-profile quarterback battle in the country right now happening at Alabama,” Pate said. “Now as is the case with quarterback battles, usually there is two guys involved--there are two guys involved here.
"The worst part about quarterback battles is when they’re dead even, someone’s got to run their mouth and say, ‘So and so’s going to win this job and it isn’t even close.’ And unfortunately, someone will lie about this quarterback battle and end up being right. There’s someone out there saying Keelon Russell is by a mile, he’s taking this job, it’s not even close.'”
Last week, Nick Kelly of AL.com spoke with a scout at a practice who felt the competition "was not close" with Russell being way ahead.
Pate argued on Sunday that the two quarterbacks have much more they need to prove to DeBoer to win the job this fall. They'll need to continue to show consistency throughout the month.
“Guys, I promise it’s close. I vow to you it’s close,” Pate said. “And if Keelon Russell ends up winning this job he will not win it because he actually already had it in the bag in mid-August.
"He’ll win it because he ended up doing things after mid-August that won him the job. It’s very, very much up in the air. There are shades of gray here. There is no definitive one way or the other.”
Pate noted that highlights make it seem like Russell is winning the job in camp. However, coaches care more about the entire practice tape, and it's unclear who is impressing during the entire practice. Mack very much still has a chance to win the job.
While Russell has natural talents, DeBoer will need to trust the young quarterback to make good decision during games.
