Austin Mack Addresses Transfer Talk After Alabama’s Rose Bowl Loss

Alabama’s season ended in stunning fashion at the Rose Bowl, and the fallout is still being felt inside the Crimson Tide program. A lopsided loss to Indiana marked one of the toughest days in recent Alabama football history, as the Tide struggled to generate offense and finished with barely 200 total yards. It was the program’s most one-sided defeat since 1998, a result that immediately sparked questions about the future—especially at quarterback.

Austin Mack is one of the most well-known figures involved in that conversation. Ty Simpson’s injury forced the redshirt sophomore into action halfway through the third quarter, and although Alabama never really threatened a comeback, Mack showed glimmers of promise. He clarified after the game that a transfer decision has not yet been made.

During his postgame interview in the Rose Bowl locker room, Mack remarked, “I’m right here right now.” “I’m still trying to make sense of everything here in the Rose Bowl right after the game. To be honest, I’m just taking each day as it comes,” he remarked.

Mack finished the game completing 11 of 16 passes for 103 yards and helped Alabama get on the scoreboard with Conor Talty’s field goal. Though the result was disappointing, his calm performance stood out under difficult circumstances. That brief appearance added to a limited résumé this season, as Mack appeared in only three games, completing 13 of 16 passes for 125 yards and two touchdowns overall.

After following head coach Kalen DeBoer from Washington to Alabama, Mack hoped to compete for the starting job. However, limited playing time has made his long-term outlook uncertain. With NFL aspirations in mind, more game reps are crucial. That reality is complicated by Ty Simpson’s status. If Simpson chooses to return instead of declaring for the NFL Draft, Mack’s path to the starting role becomes much narrower.

Still, Mack emphasized accountability when reflecting on his own play against Indiana.

Meanwhile, DeBoer is also under pressure. Despite holding a 20–8 record, his tenure has been marked by uneven performances and several high-profile losses, including defeats against Oklahoma, Michigan, Georgia, and now Indiana. With fan frustration growing, the program faces little room for error moving forward. Any coaching change could further impact Mack’s future, as a new staff might prefer a more experienced quarterback.

Adding to the uncertainty is Simpson’s health. The starting quarterback suffered a rib injury against Indiana after taking a hard hit on a quarterback keeper that resulted in a fumble. Although he returned to start the second half, DeBoer removed him after one drive to prevent further damage.

“Ty was hurt, yet he was determined to keep fighting,” DeBoer said after the game. “There’s no way he let this team down. He went out there and competed, and that’s who he is,” the coach said, according to postgame remarks.

ESPN sideline reporter Kris Budden later noted that Simpson was still “banged up,” prompting the decision to hold him out. Simpson confirmed after the game that he “cracked” a rib, though the severity remains unclear.

With Simpson’s recovery timeline uncertain and Mack’s future unresolved, Alabama’s quarterback room is suddenly full of questions. How DeBoer manages those moving parts could shape the Tide’s direction heading into next season.

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