​The Alabama Crimson Tide aren’t projected as the favorite to win the SEC after advancing to the College Football Playoff for the first time under head coach Kalen DeBoer. Still, Alabama should be positioned in the top 15 heading into Week 1, and the team has an opportunity to silence the skeptics if DeBoer can cultivate his young offensive talent throughout the summer. How long the Crimson Tide stay in the CFP conversation will hinge on how Ty Simpson’s successor performs this fall.
Blake Toppmeyer of USA Today highlighted quarterback Keelon Russell as a potential Heisman Trophy sleeper this season, though he isn’t guaranteed the Week 1 starter amid a competitive battle with veteran backup Austin Mack. “First, Russell must win the quarterback job,” Toppmeyer wrote. “He’s in a battle with Mack, who brings more experience, but if Alabama is going to make the playoff, it needs a quarterback with superstar potential. That’s Russell.” A former five-star recruit, Russell is a dual-threat signal-caller who outperformed Mack in the spring game. As Alabama defensive back Bray Hubbard explained, if you want to gauge Russell’s arm talent, close your eyes and listen to him throw—the ball comes off the hand with real velocity.
The ultimate outcome at quarterback will influence whether another Alabama offensive player can emerge as a Heisman contender. Toppmeyer also flagged receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams as a secondary “sleeper” candidate for college football’s most prestigious award. “Coleman-Williams endured a bit of a sophomore slump following a freshman All-American season,” Toppmeyer noted. “He has become a major dark horse for the Heisman, but this remains the same player who once had 177 receiving yards against Georgia as a 17-year-old.” Coleman-Williams has even added “Coleman” to his jersey surname to honor his mother, and he has switched numbers as part of an attempt to leave last year behind. He is still just 19 and needs this season to become a true breakout year.
The Crimson Tide possess considerable potential across their roster. If DeBoer can motivate his players to exceed expectations this fall, Alabama could pose a serious threat in the CFP race. Conversely, if the offense struggles to develop and execute at a high level, the season in Tuscaloosa could become a challenging one. The path to sustained success for Alabama hinges on a smooth quarterback transition, the emergence of young playmakers, and the coaching staff’s ability to maximize developmental gains during the summer and through the early weeks of the season.