There will be considerable disagreement among Alabama football fans over the core premise of this post. To clarify, there are good reasons to believe that Keelon Russell is 'the' future Crimson Tide QB1 Alabama needs. Since his first day on an Alabama practice field, Russell has wowed observers. His considerable passing skills translate to a future college football superstar. But that future does not have to be now; in fact, he and Alabama will be best served by patience.
For all his exceptional skill, Russell is wowing practice watchers while playing against air. Alabama football insiders claim that when going against a complete Alabama defensive unit, Mack has the upper hand over Russell. Mack's experience with Kalen DeBoer and Ryan Grubb should and does mean he understands the offense better than Russell. Russell is expected to gain ground rapidly. There is a chance that Simpson could falter, and by the second half of the season, Russell jumps over Mack to the starting quarterback role.
Should such a leap happen, Alabama will have experienced more pain than any of us wants to imagine. Two losses under Simpson, followed by a freshman starter thrust into a 'must not lose' role, could be a disaster requiring no further explanation.
The odds of that disaster occurring seem to be almost too low to mention. Ty Simpson should give the Alabama football offense what it needs and more. If Simpson were to be lost to injury, the situation would be iffy.
Best-case scenario for Alabama Football is patience
Patience at the quarterback position is the best-case scenario for Alabama Football. It is the best-case scenario for Keelon Russell as well. Though not expected to exit early, Texas QB Arch Manning is projected as the first quarterback to be selected in the 2026 NFL Draft. Manning threw only five passes during his freshman season at Texas. In two seasons under Steve Sarkisian, Manning has started two games. That is a testament to Sark's patience and the patience of the Manning clan.
Arch has said that patience did not come easily, "I’m not going to lie, it was pretty tough. Obviously the competitor in me always wants to play and be able to help my team out. Looking back, it has definitely helped me grow as a person and a player. I’m blessed for that."
Asking too much of Keelon Russell too soon should not be in Alabama's 2015 plans.