What would Alabama football’s offense look like with Keelon Russell starting at quarterback?

Sep 6, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell (12) drops back to pass against UL Monroe at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama defeated UL Monroe 73-0. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images

Alabama football’s head coach Kalen DeBoer is not ready to name a starting quarterback.

Austin Mack and Keelon Russell are set to continue to compete for the role. Both quarterbacks are putting in work ahead of returning to Tuscaloosa this summer for team workouts.

The pair recently spent time together in California and got to throw the football to a pair of Alabama wide receivers, Derek Meadows and Ryan Coleman-Williams.

In a two-part series, Touchdown Alabama will take a look at how the Tide’s offense could look under Russell or Mack. Russell is first up.

The former five-star was one of the top quarterback prospects in the 2025 recruiting class. His effortless release of the football as a passer made him a very intriguing prospect. He showed he could make all of the throws in a variety of different circumstances. One of those circumstances was while on the move.

Alabama 5-Star QB signee Keelon Russell @Pres1dential is special for a variety of reasons.

He has the potential to do great things in Tuscaloosa for years to come. @TDAlabamaMag pic.twitter.com/zAWCbrc2s1

— Justin Smith (@Jdsmith31Smith) December 4, 2024

This made seeing Alabama roll Russell out on A-Day look oh so familiar. Two of the touchdowns he threw on the day were a result of him rolling out and delivering the football.

This could be a staple in a Russell-led offense.

Rolling a quarterback out and moving the pocket would allow a young quarterback like Russell to make some easier throws and throws he appears to be really comfortable with making. He would also have the opportunity to get out in space, which would put stress on a defense due to his athleticism and speed.

Russell’s skill set also adds the element of the read option. The Crimson Tide ran this several times on A-Day with Russell at quarterback, and he kept the football on some of those plays, picked up positive yards and appeared to show another gear when he was running up the field picking up yards.

There is also always the element of extending plays when it comes to a dual-threat quarterback. Russell fits that mold, so an offense led by him will have an opportunity to create some exciting plays with him being able to keep plays alive with his feet and throw or run to make something out of nothing.

Ryan Coleman-Williams hinted at this element after A-Day.

“That’s exactly what you want,” Coleman-Williams said. “I mean, you know, sometimes a play is going to be longer than what you expect, but it just feels like you’re playing a video game when 12’s in, so really just continuing to have fun. You never know what you’re going to get, and just be there. Be in the moment when you’re playing.”

While Russell does possess a high upside, he is still a young quarterback. A reliable rushing attack would likely need to be his best friend. If the Tide can establish itself on the ground this season, Russell will have an opportunity to effectively operate some play-action plays against a defense that has to play honestly due to the threat of the run.

All signs point to Alabama naming a starter at some point in the fall.