There was a time when returning starters was the clearest measure of how well college football teams would perform in a coming season. In recent seasons, the Transfer Portal has changed the way rosters are developed. For the Crimson Tide and other top programs, roster deficiencies can be remedied with quick-fix transfer additions.
The best method for projecting roster strength is returning production. ESPN's Bill Connelly provides a roster strength ranking for all of the 138 FBS teams. Overall, the Alabama Crimson Tide's 2026 roster ranks No. 90 in returning production. The ranking is worse for the Alabama offense, which is last among SEC teams at No. 119. Alabama returns only 35% of the Tide's 2025 offensive production.
As Connelly points out, there are sometimes exceptions. Clemson was an exception last season, but data from recent seasons prove that returning production matters. It could matter significantly for Alabama in the coming season.
Kalen DeBoer and Ryan Grubb share a philosophy about quarterbacks. They want one leading the offense rather than two rotating. This fall will test whether that is the best strategy for the Alabama Crimson Tide.
An Alabama Crimson Tide Rotation?
Playing Austin Mack and Keelon Russell in a rotation makes sense from one perspective. Combined, the two Bama QBs have played in only seven college football games. Both need first-unit game snaps to prepare for the possibility that an injury forces a QB2 to make a sudden transition to QB1. That is the scary one-play-away scenario.
A contrasting perspective is that the Alabama football offense will develop more quickly with a settled QB1 as early as possible. That means either Kentucky or Florida State.
Let's drill down on why an early, settled QB1 should be the goal. Two words define what the Alabama offense needs to find quickly: cohesion and consistency. Rotating running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends is workable, and perhaps preferable. Based on last season's reality, rotating offensive linemen is not preferable or workable. More critically, the offense must have a trusted leader at quarterback.
This week, Ryan Grubb spoke about the Tide's QB1 must command the offense: "Does it look like that guy believes, like, 'I'm going to make this play." Reaching such command does not come with an on-off switch. It comes through a process of 'reach and fail' leading to 'reach and succeed'. Teammates must share a quarterback's expectation of success. Rotating two quarterbacks too long would hinder that process.
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