NFL Scout Weighs in on Alabama QB Debate: 'It’s Not Close'

Alabama's quarterback battle may have taken a significant turn at Wednesday's scrimmage at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

While head coach Kalen DeBoer will insist that this is still very much an open battle between Keelon Russell and Austin Mack, one NFL scout thought otherwise.

Nick Kelly of AL.com spoke with a scout at the practice and got their thoughts on the Crimson Tide’s quarterback battle.

“At one point during the back half of the scrimmage, an NFL scout in attendance told AL.com he thought Russell was better than Mack and it was ‘not even close,’” Kelly wrote.

He continued, “Several observers mentioned Mack started slow then improved toward the end, though. Still, most sources with whom AL.com spoke leaned toward Russell as the player who had the better day. The only observer who didn’t lean toward Russell said there was no clear separation at quarterback. Still, even that source said Russell had the ‘it factor.’”

Ever since Russell was recruited by Alabama, there was a belief that he was going to be the future of the program.

But because of that belief, DeBoer isn’t going to just hand the ball to the redshirt freshman.

After Ty Simpson fractured his rib in the Rose Bowl earlier this year, it was Mack who came in relief – not Russell.

This will be Mack’s fourth year in DeBoer’s system, after he left Washington to follow the coach that recruited him to Tuscaloosa, and the familiarity will surely be an advantage.

However, if Russell does indeed possess that “it factor,” it may just be enough for DeBoer to hand him the keys and let him learn on the job.

Does that happen? It’s impossible to say. DeBoer has done an admirable job of keeping his cards close to the vest.

Though, it may have been offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb who showed his hand a tiny bit.

Upon the start of fall camp, Grubb was asked about the battle.

"I would say Keelon did a better job of taking care of the football in the summer than he did the spring. Then with Austin, I thought he was better on the run out of the pocket. I thought he really grew in that regard."

That statement alone speaks volumes.

Talent was hardly the issue for Russell, it was about protecting the ball, which is typically an issue for young quarterbacks moving onto the next level.

And if the main thing that Russell needed to work on was already addressed, that may have given you a hidden answer.