Depending on the recruiting rankings source chosen, Keelon Russell or Bryce Young is the highest-ranked quarterback recruit ever to play for the Alabama Crimson Tide. In the opinions of many Crimson Tide fans, Bryce was magic. Currently, Alabama fans' dreams center on Keelon Russell becoming magic-plus.
Keelon (pronounced KEElin, not Keelon) can't get to magic-plus by himself. Other offensive players must excel. The offensive line must be at least consistently competent. The Alabama defense must not allow games frequently requiring shootout victories. If all that goes well, Keelon still cannot suddenly be 'magic-plus'. The South Carolina and Georgia defenses will likely teach Keelon some needed lessons. Home crowds may convince Vols' and the Bengal Tigers' defenders that they can handle, in mid-October and November, what will be a fast-rising superstar.
Whatever lumps come Alabama's way, Keelon appears destined to become a special player. He could well be special enough that in one season with Russell leading the Crimson Tide offense, Alabama gets all the way back.
The bold predictions below are serious ones. Be forewarned: they may be motivated by some irrational exuberance. With the start of each new season, my optimism is almost always crimson colored.
Two Bold Alabama Crimson Tide Predictions
- Bold Prediction No. 1 - If Keelon Russell misses no games due to injury and misses no key snaps in any game because of injury, Alabama will be a College Football Playoff team. Alabama fans may claim this prediction is not bold, but almost every so-called college football expert has predicted the Crimson Tide will not make the Playoff field.
- Bold Prediction No. 2 - This prediction requires one caveat. Alabama must not lose more than a few starters to season-ending injuries. If Keelon Russell is healthy for every key game, and the Crimson Tide offensive line is consistently competent, the Alabama Crimson Tide will be a serious national championship contender; serious enough for Alabama to reach the National Championship Game.
What a joy it would be for Alabama fans for the Crimson Tide to prove nearly the entire college football world wrong.
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