Former Alabama player believes Tide LB has chance to ‘take over’ games in 2025

Sep 14, 2024; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Qua Russaw (4) during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Former Alabama quarterback, Greg McElroy is high on Crimson Tide linebacker, Qua Russaw.

The Montgomery, Alabama product is set to take over as a leader at the WOLF linebacker position for the Tide in 2025.

Russaw is coming off a redshirt freshman season, where he played in all 13 games and started in six of them. He wrapped up the year with 36 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and one sack.

McElroy feels Russaw’s continued development will be huge for the Tide in 2025.

“Qua Russaw, he’s the guy that I think has a chance to take over the game,” McElroy said on ESPN’s Always College Football. “Look, he was a little bit banged up at times last year, got a little banged up in the Wisconsin game. But there were so many moments throughout the year in which you saw those flashes. Now, if he can put it all together in his redshirt sophomore year, he’s got All-SEC and All-American potential for sure.”

The former five-star shared he was working to improve his pass rush during the spring.

“I’ll say about a six or a seven,” Russaw told reporters when asked to rate his play in 2024. “I don’t think my pass rush was there. This offseason, I’ve been working on my pass rush, just being explosive because I know I can do it. I’m fast. I’m explosive…Just being comfortable, just going, just not thinking too much, which I’ve been working on that a lot this spring.”

GET THE BEST ALABAMA FOOTBALL INSIDER INFORMATION AND RECRUITING COVERAGE TODAY! SIGN UP HERE TO UNLOCK OUR SUBSCRIBER ONLY CONTENT!*