SEC Network analyst all in on former 5-Star starting at QB for Alabama

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

On The Dynasty: A Podcast on the Alabama Crimson Tide, SEC Network’s Chris Doering said he believes Keelon Russell will be Alabama football’s starter at QB because he is the “total package”. 

“Keelon Russell, at some point in the season, will be the starter, not because of the ceiling necessarily or that he’s going to beat him [Austin Mack] out with some of his throwing ability, but because of the total package,” he said. “I think now in the way that offensive football has evolved, you got to have a quarterback that can put pressure on a defense by running the ball. The threat of the run forces defenses to change the way that they defend. It makes things easier on running backs. It makes things easier on the offensive line. That’s got to be a part of what they’re looking to do this year is have more quarterback run elements this year with a guy that can run it with great viability.”

Doering made a solid point about how a quarterback capable of striking fear in the defense’s heart by running the football is something that Alabama’s running backs and offensive line could benefit from.

The Crimson Tide finished 15th in the SEC in rushing yards per game last season, and the quarterback run was not a staple with a guy like Ty Simpson. This season, the competition is between Mack and Russell, and the versatility of Russell has Doering believing Russell will eventually be the starter for Alabama.

Russell enters his sophomore season, and he was behind Mack on the depth chart last year. Now, the two are battling it out to be the starter in Kalen DeBoer’s third season as the head coach of Alabama.

Alabama football’s quarterback battle will heat up in the coming days as the Crimson Tide prepare to start their fall camp soon.