TUSCALOOSA, ALA. — University of Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell completed 21 of 33 passes for 240 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception during the Crimson Tide's spring game Saturday in Tuscaloosa. Russell, a five-star recruit in 2025 who redshirted last season behind starter Ty Simpson, led his unit to seven scores on nine drives — four touchdowns and three field goals — with one missed field goal and the interception near the goal line.

Russell extended several plays with his legs despite wearing a noncontact jersey during the scrimmage. The university did not keep official statistics for the spring game, making all individual totals unofficial.

Crimson Tide receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams said Russell's growth has been evident since his freshman year. "His freshman year, he'd get into the huddle, and he knew what he was talking about, but it's a lot as a quarterback. Just the way he's commanded and grown from last year to this year, it's light years," Coleman-Williams said. "Literally, it just feels like you're playing a video game when he is in."

Backup quarterback Austin Mack, who served as the No. 2 behind Simpson last season, completed 6 of 12 passes for 101 yards with a touchdown and an interception during Saturday's scrimmage. Mack led five drives and scored on two of them before sustaining an injury and leaving the game.

Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer addressed the quarterback situation after the scrimmage. "This week was a little bit where Keelon got some more reps just with some things Austin is going through. Austin has been good for the most part but wasn't able to finish [on Saturday]. But he will be fine," DeBoer said. Alabama has two spring practices remaining this week as the team continues preparation ahead of the 2025 season.