Frankly, it's not good news for Auburn that Kalen DeBoer named sophomore quarterback Keelon Russell the Crimson Tide's QB1 for the 2026 season. Russell invalidates the disadvantages Alabama held that the Tigers can no longer exploit.
Russell has 37 snaps total from his two appearances during his one season in Tuscaloosa last fall, but by the Iron Bowl, he'll have plenty more. As easy as it'd be to celebrate his inexperience, the truth is that Russell's ceiling is miles higher than Austin Mack's. Not to mention, Russell played Texas 6A football at the legendary Duncanville High School. Russell has already played elite competition in North Texas.
Athletically, Russell is gifted. His 40-yard dash time is 4.59 seconds. That isn't even Russell's game to take off with the ball, though. Like Jayden Daniels, Russell uses that speed to stay behind the line of scrimmage and catch receivers improvising downfield on scramble drills. Russell's throws snap out of his hands. He's a dual-threat football prototype.
When it comes to the Iron Bowl, Russell will be playing with all the chips on the table. A spot in the CFP could be on the line. That is when you may see Russell call his own number plenty to overcome the Crimson Tide's biggest weakness.
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Auburn may not be able to dominate a weak Alabama run game as easily
On paper, Alabama should be much better in the running game. 2025 was a disastrous year for the Tide, though. Alabama ranked No. 125 nationally in rushing yards per game. Long gone are the days of Derrick Henry, Mark Ingram, or even Najee Harris. The interior offensive line last year looked nothing like the groups Nick Saban used to scream at in practice and was often outleveraged within milliseconds of the snap.
So far in camp, AK Dear and EJ Crowell have suffered injuries. Daniel Hill still hasn't grabbed the brass ring and taken the reins as the clear lead back. There are positive developments with Trae'shawn Brown's emergence and Kevin Riley's improvements. These aren't the kind of positive developments that could restore this program to the glory days, though.
There is a clear silver lining for UAT, though.
Russell, like Jalen Milroe, can do a better job than Ty Simpson to make up for it. By virtue of being so dynamic, Russell will keep defenders on their toes. With Auburn being especially strong in the middle, where WILL LB Xavier Atkins led the team with 17 TFLs a year ago, Russell might be able to do his damage in the short passing game on the perimeter. The Tigers aren't particularly strong at corner heading into the 2026 season.
Alabama probably won't even try to win the Iron Bowl this year by running up the gut. Russell gives the Tide a better chance to move the ball downfield in other ways. He gives them more of a chance to win against every defense.
Alabama probably won't be "back" this year by its own standard, but the Crimson Tide is unquestionably better with the keys officially handed over to Russell.
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