Ryan Coleman-Williams hilariously sums up Austin Mack's edge in Alabama football QB battle

Age is just a number, but it might benefit Austin Mack in Alabama football's quarterback battle — to Ryan Coleman-Williams, at least.

The Crimson Tide's veteran wide receiver joked about the senior's ... well, seniority, while breaking down the competition between Mack and Keelon Russell on SEC Network at the 2026 SEC Football Kickoff in Tampa.

"Austin, I call him 'Human Playbook.' You know, he's been in the offense 46 years now," the 19-year-old Coleman-Williams quipped.

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Mack is only 1 year older than Coleman-Williams, who is the same age as Russell. However, Mack is entering his third season at Alabama since transferring from Washington, where he followed coach Kalen DeBoer from, while Russell is entering Year 2 after landing third in the depth chart as a freshman, primarily for a lack of playbook knowledge.

Coleman-Williams chuckled while speaking about Mack, saying, "He's a senior. You can tell inside and out."

Ryan Coleman-Williams breaks down Alabama football quarterback battle

"Just playing with them, you can tell he sat behind those guys and he'd take the little bits and pieces, so that's something that sticks out about him, and he just comes into work every single day, 4 a.m., like first to the facility, last guy out," Coleman-Williams said.

However, Coleman-Williams has started noticing something.

Russell is picking up on Mack's work ethic.

"It's like, just the fact that he's a sponge and wants to grow, and that's pretty much a testament to our team," Coleman-Williams continued.

Russell spent last year backing up Mack and starter Ty Simpson, but made the most of his stints on the field, when he went 11 for 15 for 143 yards and two touchdowns.

"Keelon's ability to make plays, you know, is undeniable, so super excited for both of those guys going into camp and I know they're going to make a lot of plays," Coleman-Williams said.

"Regardless of who we got, I'm standing behind them, 10 toes.

Alabama kicks off the 2026 season against East Carolina at 11 a.m. CT Saturday, Sept. 5 in Tuscaloosa.

Emilee Smarr covers Alabama basketball and Crimson Tide athletics for The Tuscaloosa News. She can be reached via email at esmarr@usatodayco.com.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Ryan Coleman-Williams hilariously sums up Austin Mack's edge in Alabama football QB battle