# College football quarterback selections

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/college-football-quarterback-selections
> Updated: 2026-08-25T11:11:31.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2.

As the 2026 college football season approaches, various programs are finalizing their starting quarterback decisions and managing roster changes through the transfer portal.

In the Power Four, Georgia Southern named Max Johnson as its starter, while North Carolina selected Billy Edwards from Wisconsin. Auburn added Byrum Brown from South Florida to stabilize its roster. 

Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer named redshirt freshman five-star prospect Keelon Russell as the starting quarterback, selecting him over veteran Austin Mack. Former Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy noted that Russell secured the position by demonstrating exceptional mobility and the ability to make ‘wow plays’ during scrimmages, describing him as a player who ‘scares you to death on every single snap’ due to his athleticism.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-25: Keelon Russell named starting quarterback for Alabama

Alabama has named five-star prospect Keelon Russell as the starting quarterback over Austin Mack, a move praised by former Tide quarterbacks for Russell's elite playmaking ability.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/keelon-russell-named-starting-quarterback-for-alabama

### 2026-08-23: College football programs finalize 2026 starting quarterbacks

College football programs are finalizing 2026 starting quarterbacks, including Georgia Southern's Max Johnson and Alabama's Keelon Russell, amid significant transfer portal activity.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/college-football-programs-finalize-2026-starting-quarterbacks

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Cite as: College football quarterback selections. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/college-football-quarterback-selections