The Crimson Tide are looking for a new sheriff under center, and with Jalen Milroe off to the NFL, the battle for QB1 is heating up like a Tuscaloosa summer. Enter Keelon Russell, the five-star phenom, the highest-rated recruit in Bama history, and the QB who’s got the whole fanbase ready to start designing championship rings before he’s even played a down. But here’s the thing—he’s got competition. Ty Simpson has been in the system, and Austin Mack transferred in with something to prove. That said, after week one of spring practice, the internet is already making up its mind.

On March 14th, ‘Touchdown Alabama’ dropped a highlight reel of Keelon Russell’s spring break, and let’s just say—Bama fans needed a moment. Russell was out there slinging darts like he’s been in the system for years. He was throwing off shotgun snaps, dropping spirals on slants, hitting deep shots like they were layups. The footwork? Crispy. The mechanics? Straight out of an NFL playbook. And the kid’s already put on nearly 20 pounds since arriving in Tuscaloosa, beefing up his frame to handle SEC-level punishment. Physically, he’s checking every box.

And here’s the kicker—there’s no real veteran QB standing in his way. Ty Simpson? No legit collegiate starts. Austin Mack? Same deal. So this battle ain’t about experience—it’s about who can take the reins and run with it. Following Week 1 of spring practice, Bama insider Mick Gillispie started connecting dots, looking at Ryan Grubb’s comments and how practice was shaking out. The verdict? Keelon Russell might just be HIM. “Ryan Grubb just could not talk enough about [Keelon Russell]. He was so pumped up about what he brought to the table for this team,” Gillispie said.

Not only did Grubb compare Russell’s ‘whippy quick release’ to Jake Haener’s and his ‘vision’ to Michael Penix Jr.’s, but he also couldn’t stop talking about his intangibles. “Keelon is awesome, man,” Grubb said. “He’s very unflappable. Even when things don’t go right, and they invariably will not for a freshman quarterback, I think he’s done an awesome job. Just kind of staying the course and being very steady.”

That said, let’s not act like Ty Simpson is just standing around watching. The veteran QB has been grinding. Grubb noted that Simpson took “the biggest jump” between Days 1 and 2 of practice, showing off his ability to process information at high speed and flashing some serious mobility. At the end of the day, Keelon Russell’s case for QB1 is built on straight-up cold, hard facts. He isn’t just a big-time recruit—he’s the Gatorade National Football Player of the Year. He threw for over 4,000 yards and 55 touchdowns in his senior year at Duncanville, led them to two state championships, and—oh yeah—became the highest-rated recruit in Alabama history with a perfect 100 rating on the 247Sports composite rankings. Read that again: the highest-rated recruit in Alabama history.

So when Keelon Russell’s spring practice tape hit the internet, Bama Nation had one thing to say—and they made it loud and clear.

The Bama nation hopped on X and cleared Kalen DeBoer’s QB dilemma

Keelon Russell’s spring throwing session film hit the internet, and Alabama fans wasted zero time making their voices heard. The QB1 debate might still be playing out in spring practice, but on X? Yeah, it’s already decided.

The fans started simple and to the point: “This kid is special. Roll Tide🐘” Now, let’s be real. Keelon Russell is literally the No. 2 quarterback in the entire class of 2026, right behind Michigan’s Bryce Underwood. And considering what Kalen DeBoer and Ryan Grubb have done with quarterbacks in the past like Michael Penix Jr.? Yeah, this ceiling is skyscraper-level.

Another fan cut right to the point: “Starting sooner than later.” Translation? They don’t care about seniority, and they definitely don’t want to wait. Alabama’s QB room low-key stacked with options—Simpson, Mack, and Russell—but everyone knows who has the most upside. Word on the street is that Simpson and Russell are going head-to-head for the job, but fans are already leaning toward letting the young gun cook. And with how he’s been slinging it in practice? Yeah, the momentum is only building.

Not everyone’s buying the hype, though. “They will look at this and say he’s not ready 😂” one Bama fan tweeted. And, well, they’re not wrong. Analysts like Mick Gillispie have already said they expect Ty Simpson to start the season at the top of the depth chart. “I don’t expect Keelon Russell to be the starting quarterback at Alabama,” Gillispie has stated in the past. But let’s be real—how many times have analysts gotten these battles wrong before? Exactly.

Then there’s the fan who’s already calling it: “QB1 🤞🏾”  Subtle, yet effective. Some fans don’t need to see any more—they’ve already locked in their choice. At this point, Russell’s case for QB1 isn’t just hype; it’s backed by facts. Gatorade National Player of the Year? Check. Over 4,000 passing yards and 55 touchdowns his senior year? Check. Two state championships? Check. Alabama has had some legendary QBs, but no one has ever come in as highly rated as Russell. Some fans see all that and think, “Why even wait?”

And finally, one more fan summed it all up perfectly: “Can’t deny the work!” Because say what you want about Russell’s age, experience, or competition level—what you can’t say is that he’s not putting in the work. He’s already transforming his body, putting in extra reps with his former coach James Mitchell, and proving he’s ready to battle for this spot. Nothing’s been handed to him, but the work ethic is there—and Alabama fans love a grinder.

The decision on who starts in Week 1 is ultimately up to Kalen DeBoer, but if you ask Alabama fans, they’ve already handed Keelon Russell the keys to the offense. Spring practice has only just begun, and yet the energy around this kid is through the roof. Sure, Ty Simpson has experience, and Austin Mack isn’t just gonna disappear, but let’s be real—when you bring in the highest-rated recruit in program history, you don’t let him sit too long.