Austin Mack has been waiting, developing and preparing for three seasons now under Kalen DeBoer.
First, Mack reclassified to enroll early at Washington in 2023. Now Mack has spent the past two seasons with the Crimson Tide.
Mack and No. 9 Alabama is set to take part in the Rose Bowl on Thursday (3 p.m. CT, ESPN) against No. 1 Indiana in the quarterfinal round of the College Football Playoff. Mack will serve as Ty Simpson’s backup again.
But with the transfer portal set to open Friday, the natural question for Mack is, what does the future look like?
Mack was asked during media day Tuesday in Los Angeles how he views 2026 and whether he wants to come back for another year with Alabama.
“Honestly, I know a lot of people want to know that stuff,” Mack said. “For me, it’s taking it one day at a time and knowing that I still have a Rose Bowl game I’ve got to prepare for. I’m still being where my feet are and knowing that I’m one play away from playing that game. I’ve got to be ready. It would be selling my teammates short if I was worried about stuff like that in such a big moment like this, knowing that if I do have to go out there, I’ve got to go out there and perform and do my job so we can eventually win that game. That’s really what I’m focused on right now.”
Mack will be a redshirt junior in 2026. The 6-foot-6, 235-pound quarterback has played in three games this season: Louisiana Monroe, Wisconsin and Eastern Illinois.
“It’s been great,” Mack said. “Ty’s done a great job. Our coaches have done a great job. Our QB room is really special. Me, Ty and Keelon (Russell), it’s honestly been great. Going through spring, summer, fall, I’ve learned a ton, whether it’s from Ty or Keelon even. Really it’s been learning and kind of just experiencing it all. It was my first true season being in the whole thing. Especially with the season we’ve been through. It’s been ups and downs, but the highs have been high. It’s honestly been great. It’s been really fun. It’s been a really good learning experience.”
Mack has completed 13 of 16 passes (81.3%) for 125 yards and two touchdowns this season. He also rushed for a score.
“I feel like my command of everything has really grown, whether it was the offense, being a better leader of the guys and kind of just being myself really,” Mack said. “Whether it’s on the field, off the field, having that command a quarterback should have.”
Mack still hasn’t had a chance to start a game, though. But he’s been OK spending time developing and preparing for his moment.
“Coming out of high school a full year early at Washington, I kind of knew my plan for myself was that I want to develop like Tom Brady,” Mack said. “I know everybody has a different path. Ty has had his own path. I have had my own path. Keelon has his own path. For me, it’s really just getting ready for that opportunity and knowing that when that time comes, I will be ready.”
