Austin Mack: High School | Folsom | Parents | Recruiting | QB

American college football is filled with elite quarterback talent, but few stories combine high school dominance, rapid recruiting success and high expectations at the college level quite like that of Austin Mack. From starring at Folsom High School in California, reclassifying to enroll early in college, and joining powerhouse programs like Washington and Alabama, Mack’s football journey has garnered national attention. In this article, we take you through his life on and off the field — from his early football roots to the collegiate stage, the recruiting process, and what’s next for this young quarterback.

Early Life and Family Background

Born on June 5, 2006, Austin Mack grew up in Northern California, specifically in the town of Loomis and Folsom near Sacramento. While detailed public records of his parents’ names and personal life are limited, it’s clear that Mack’s family played a supportive role in his development as a football player. Throughout his high school career, they traveled with him to games and recruiting events, actively supporting his athletic growth. 

Though the names of his parents have not been widely published in major sports bios, it’s common among elite high school athletes that family involvement contributes to early training, the balancing of academics and athletics, and the decision to reclassify — a choice Mack made to begin college early.

Family support is often cited by recruiting experts as a significant factor in a young quarterback’s success — especially when navigating national recruiting, collegiate transitions, and long-term development plans.

Folsom High School Career: A Quarterback on the Rise

Austin Mack first made waves at Folsom High School (California) — a program known for producing elite quarterback talent, including Jake Browning, who became a national standout before moving on to collegiate success. 

Breakout Season in 2022

Mack’s breakthrough came during his junior season in 2022, when he established himself as one of the most prolific high school quarterbacks in the nation:

• Completed 269 of 382 passes for 3,498 yards and 40 touchdowns with only five interceptions.

• Led Folsom to a 12-2 record and a CIF Sacramento Division I championship.

• Earned large-school player of the year honors from the Sacramento Bee. 

Mack’s combination of size (6-6), arm strength and field vision immediately caught the attention of scouts and recruiters nationwide. At 6-foot-6 and hovering around 235 pounds, his physical profile alone made him a standout among peers. 

Playing Style and Evaluation

ESPN and recruiting services like 247Sports evaluated Mack as one of the top high school quarterbacks in the country. He showed the ability to:

• Progress through reads quickly

• Make accurate throws across the field

• Stay poised in the pocket under pressure

• Make dynamic plays with his legs when necessary

Because of these traits, many scouting reports compared his style to elite collegiate prospects, noting his ability to operate in complex offensive systems — a key trait for succeeding at power-5 schools. 

Recruiting Journey: From Four-Star Prospect to Early Enrollee

Austin Mack’s football performance at Folsom translated directly into a highly sought-after recruiting profile. Multiple Division I programs tracked his progress throughout his high school career.

Recruiting Profile

According to 247Sports, Mack was ranked as:

• A four-star recruit nationally

• The No. 8 quarterback in his class

• The No. 73 overall player in the 2023 recruiting cycle.

His recruiting journey included offers and interest from major programs across the country, including:

• Stanford

• Oregon

• Oregon State

• Arizona

• Colorado State

• Washington

Commitment to Washington

In early 2023, Mack committed to play college football at the University of Washington, choosing the Huskies over several other contenders. 

But Mack didn’t stop at simply committing — he took the highly unusual step of reclassifying from the 2024 to the 2023 class, effectively graduating early from Folsom High School to join Washington sooner than planned.

This move allowed him to:

• Begin training under collegiate coaches a full year earlier

• Gain experience in the university system ahead of schedule

• Start acclimating to college-level play

Collegiate Career Beginnings: Washington and the Transfer

Washington Huskies

Mack’s first collegiate season was with the Washington Huskies in 2023. Although he did not see game action and was credited with a redshirt season, the experience included valuable practice time and exposure to elite college coaching. 

His size, arm talent and potential were clear, but so was the competitive landscape, especially with returning quarterbacks and high expectations placed on new recruits.

Transfer to Alabama

In January 2024, Mack made headlines by entering the NCAA transfer portal after just one season at Washington. He then followed his former head coach Kalen DeBoer from Washington to the University of Alabama, joining the Crimson Tide’s storied football program.

This move was significant for several reasons:

• Alabama is widely regarded as a premier college football program with a history of developing quarterback talent.

• Mack became the first transfer commit under the newly elevated Crimson Tide staff.

• His familiarity with DeBoer and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb positioned him well in Alabama’s QB room. 

From a recruiting perspective, this step kept Mack in the national spotlight and set the stage for his continued development in one of college football’s most competitive environments.

Life at Alabama and Playing Time

At Alabama, Mack wore #10 and entered a crowded quarterback room that included experienced players like Jalen Milroe. In his 2024 season, Mack appeared in limited action:

• Completed 2 of 3 passes for 39 yards and a touchdown. 

While not an extensive sample size, his performance demonstrated accuracy and readiness when given opportunities under center — an important trait as he continues competing for more playing time in future seasons.

In the 2025 season, Mack continued to back up other quarterbacks while developing his understanding of the offense and building chemistry with his teammates.

Strengths and Future Outlook

Physical Tools

Mack’s physical profile — standing 6-6 and over 230 pounds — gives him a natural advantage in terms of field vision and throwing angle. His size allows him to:

• See over the defensive line

• Make throws across all levels of the field

• Withstand collegiate-level contact

Recruiting analysts have praised his:

• Pocket awareness

• Ability to extend plays

• Timing and accuracy downfield

These traits give him a solid foundation as he aims to compete for the starting job at Alabama. 

Development Under Coaching

Under Alabama’s coaching staff — with experienced coordinators and quarterbacks coaches — Mack is positioned to refine his decision-making and situational play. His early enrollment and transfer journey have given him exposure to different offensive systems, making him a more adaptable and resilient athlete.

FAQs About Austin Mack

1. Where did Austin Mack go to high school?
He attended Folsom High School in Folsom, California, where he played quarterback and put up standout numbers, including 3,498 passing yards in 2022. 

2. What were his high school achievements?
Mack was named the Sacramento Bee’s Large School Player of the Year and led Folsom to a CIF Division I title run. 

3. Why did he reclassify early?
To graduate from high school a year early and join the collegiate ranks sooner at Washington, giving him a jumpstart on college development.

4. Where did he play college football?
He began at Washington (2023) before transferring to Alabama (2024–present). 

5. What is his current role?
As of the 2025 season, Mack is a backup quarterback at Alabama, competing for playing time and further developing his skills. 

6. Does he have NFL potential?
While still early in his college career, his physical traits and progression through major programs position him as a player to watch for future NFL consideration.

Conclusion

From Folsom High School standout to a national recruiting prospect, Austin Mack’s football journey is a testament to talent, determination and strategic advancement. His transition from Washington to Alabama reflects both adaptability and ambition — traits that serve elite athletes well. As he continues to compete and develop in one of college football’s most demanding environments, Mack’s story remains one of the most closely watched among young quarterbacks.