Three intriguing quarterback battles to watch during college football offseason camps

It's July, which means fall camp for college football is just a few short weeks away.

It's hard to believe that in less than two months we will have real, live college football on our TV sets, so take a moment to pat yourselves on the back for making it this far without having gone insane.

While it's true that we have reached the home stretch of the offseason, many Power 4 college football programs are still locked in a heated battle over who their starting quarterback will be.

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Nothing gets the blood flowing in the heat of summer quite like a quarterback competition, and today I've picked three battles that you should keep an eye on heading into fall camp.

Head coach Kalen DeBoer has not lacked a quality starter under center since arriving in Tuscaloosa in 2024.

His first year he inherited All-SEC signal caller Jalen Milroe, who then handed the reins over to former five-star and future first-round NFL Draft pick Ty Simpson in 2025.

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This year, DeBoer has an interesting conundrum on his hands: go with the veteran who has experience in the system (Austin Mack) or turn things over to the uber-talented redshirt freshman (Keelon Russell)?

To be fair, Mack was no slouch as a high school prospect himself, falling comfortably within the top-100 of the 247Sports composite rankings, but Russell was the can't-miss consensus five-star from just two recruiting cycles ago.

Mack transferred over from Washington, where he was recruited by DeBoer and Bama offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, so his familiarity within the offense could be the edge he needs to win the job, but folks have been raving about Russell since he set foot on campus in Tuscaloosa, and the race is incredibly tight.

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Do not be shocked if the freshman from Duncanville, TX, steals the starting spot from the vet, and don't be surprised as well if he is the key to Bama becoming Bama once more.

First-year Florida coach Jon Sumrall may have inherited a team with a 4-8 record in 2025, but the wins and losses belie just how much talent was left on this roster.

The Gators boast one of the best running backs in the country in Jadan Baugh and will likely be in the conversation for best wide receiver unit in the SEC by mid-season.

The problem is that no one in Gainesville knows who will be throwing all those weapons the football come Sept. 5, not even Sumrall himself.

Will it be Aaron Philo, the Georgia Tech transfer who followed offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner south on I-75?

Or will incumbent backup Tramell Jones take that next step and wrestle the starting role away from him?

Jones has the higher ceiling and the bigger arm, but Philo has the familiarity in Faulkner's system and is a bit savvier as a runner.

That last detail could be the difference, as Florida's offensive line continues to be a question mark heading into 2026.

Based on everything coming out of the football facility in Florida, this is a battle that will likely continue into the start of the season, as the Gators open up with presumptive pushovers FAU and Campbell before a trip to Auburn in week three.

Whoever impresses in the first two "cupcake" games will likely be the starter when Florida travels to Jordan-Hare on Sept. 19.

Much like with Alabama, the Clemson Tigers have a quarterback conundrum on their hands in trying to decide between a veteran who has waited his turn and a talented freshman looking to take the job by force.

Coach Dabo Swinney has made it abundantly clear that the job is Vizzina's to lose, but Reynolds may have taken that a little too literally.

He may not have the recruiting pedigree that Keelon Russell had, having been rated a three-star in the 2026 cycle, but Reynolds has the size and playmaking ability that could be the difference in the QB competition.

Vizzina's seniority and passing pedigree could and should give him the edge, especially with a week one matchup against the LSU Tigers looming, but if Clemson and Swinney need a spark to save their season, they could turn to the dynamic, dual-sport athlete to lead the charge.

One factor that could help Vizzina's case is the wide receiver room, which could be argued as one of the best in the nation, returning a dynamite duo in Bryant Wesco Jr. and T.J. Moore.

His familiarity with those two can't be overstated, though it's worth noting that both quarterbacks will be dealing with a new offensive coordinator, as Chad Morris finds his way back to Clemson to replace Garrett Riley.

Unlike Alabama and Florida, the Tigers don't have any time to waste in deciding who will start, given the aforementioned showdown with LSU waiting for them to start the season.