Can't Wait For Saturday 'Bama has a Heisman candidate at QB. we just don't know which one yet
· Yahoo Sports
Jul. 4—***
Earlier in June, I used this space to count down the Top 10 Heisman Trophy candidates for 2026. (The list is at the bottom.)
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That doesn't come close to covering all the possibilities. Last year, Fernando Mendoza wasn't considered a candidate going into the year. So, into July. I will float some names of guys who might enter the conversation if they get off to a hot start.
Today, two guys vying for the same position.
Keelon Russell/Austin Mack, Alabama quarterbacks
Well, as of this moment, Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer is letting the competition play out. He is not expected to name a starter until a few weeks before the Crimson Tide opens against East Carolina on Sept. 5.
The players offer different strengths. Russell was a five-star recruit with great athleticism, Mack knows the offense after starting his career at Washington with DeBoer and following him to Tuscaloosa.
Mack redshirted his one season at Washington and has played sparingly for the Crimson Tide. He hit 24 of 32 passes for 228 yards in 2025 with two touchdowns and no interceptions.
The junior just turned 20 and has NFL quarterback height (6-foot-6).
Texas native Russell, who joined the team in January 2025, is a year younger than Mack. Like Mack, he has the size (6-3) to see over the charging defense.
Whoever wins the chance to replace Ty Simpson will be throwing to Ryan Coleman-Wiliams, who added Coleman to his name ahead of this season. His numbers dropped last year and he wants to reverse that trend.
Alabama plays Florida State in the nonconference and hosts Georgia once SEC games start. But no Texas, Oklahoma or Mississippi. That will be a boost for the QB survivor.
1. Jeremiah Smith Ohio State receiver
2. Arch Manning Texas quarterback
3. Malachi Toney Miami receiver
4. Julian Sayin Ohio State quarterback
5. Trinidad Chambliss Mississippi quarterback
6. CJ Carr, Notre Dame quarterback
7. Dante Moore, Oregon quarterback
8. Demond Williams Jr., Washington quarterback
9. Josh Hoover, Indiana quarterback
10. Darian Mensah, Miami quarterback
Byrum Brown, Auburn quarterback
Sam Leavitt, LSU quarterback
John Mateer, Oklahoma quarterback
Bo Jackson, Ohio State running back
Jayden Maiava, Southern California quarterback
Marcel Reed, Texas A&M quarterback
LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina quarterback
Bryce Underwood, Michigan quarterback
Gunner Stockton, Georgia quarterback
Conner Weigman, Houston quarterback
Rocco Becht, Penn State quarterback