Kalen DeBoer is set to bring a former Washington quarterback to Alabama, as Austin Mack, who recently entered the transfer portal, made the announcement of his commitment to the Crimson Tide on Thursday night. Mack, a former four-star recruit, brings with him four years of eligibility.
According to 247Sports, Mack was highly regarded as the No. 73 overall recruit and the eighth-ranked quarterback in the class of 2023. Standing at 6-foot-6, he showcased his talent by throwing an impressive 40 touchdowns during his 2022 season at Folsom High School in California.
Mack began his journey at Washington under DeBoer, where he redshirted during his first year. During this time, he observed Michael Penix Jr. leading the Huskies to the National Championship Game, although they ultimately lost to the Michigan Wolverines.
Shortly afterward, Alabama appointed DeBoer as their head coach, taking over the reins from the retiring Nick Saban. DeBoer inherits a prestigious program with a remarkable track record, having achieved at least 10 wins in each of the last 16 seasons.
Mack’s decision to transfer from Washington follows a trend among several players from the same program, including fellow quarterbacks Dylan Morris and Will Rogers, who have also entered the transfer portal.
Washington’s offense will undergo significant changes with the departure of Penix and star wide receiver Rome Odunze to the NFL draft, making it a vastly different team from the one that secured the Pac-12 title and reached the College Football Playoff while averaging 36.0 points per game.
Meanwhile, Alabama has experienced its own challenges with Saban’s retirement, resulting in a number of player transfers. Notable departures include quarterback Eli Holstein, wide receiver Isaiah Bond, and offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor since Saban’s retirement announcement last week.
Despite the changes, Mack joins a competitive quarterback room at Alabama, with Jalen Milroe returning as the starter. He will vie for a backup role in 2024, competing with Ty Simpson, Dylan Lonergan, and five-star freshman Julian Sayin.
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