The Alabama Crimson Tide are, in many ways, the foundational pillar on which modern football rests. As hyperbolic as that may sound, it rings true if you have one look across the landscape. For the entirety of the Nick Saban era in Alabama, heading into the Bryant-Denny was akin to going to a bar on the weekend. You knew you’re about to get battered and then leave empty-handed. Multiple championships were won, and hoards of talent were developed. The house that Nick Saban built has been a revolving door of high-rated recruits. Tuscaloosa has seen more 5-stars than downtown LA. They’ve spewed more NFL players than any program. Now, the responsibility to keep adding to this rich history sits on Kalen DeBoer’s shoulders. One of his first Litmus tests is his approach with Keelon Russell. 

The term “true freshman” just doesn’t equate the same in the current make-up of CFB. The days of cagey high schoolers making the step-up are almost a thing of the past. No more cagey, only courageous. Athletes now are ready off the cuff. Bama’s own Ryan William is a testament to this. In fact, Ryan Williams’ taking to college like a duck to water last season presents Kalen DeBoer with a conundrum. Start Keelon Russell from the onset, or keep him away from the deep end as he learns his ropes? 

Russell’s case for being atop the depth chart as a true freshman is pretty airtight. He’s the Gatorade National Football POTY, for starters. He threw for over 4000 yards and 55 TDs in his senior year at Duncanville. He’s spearheaded them to 2 state championships. Now, he’s just added a feather to his proverbial cap no other player that ever wore Crimson can claim. Keelon Russell has been rated 100 on the 247Sports composite ranking. This makes him the highest-rated recruit in Bama history. Plus, Russell has no experienced quarterback to contend with. Both his contemporaries Austin Mack and Ty Simpson also have 0 college starts to their name. One insider and alum leveraged his opinion on whether Russell will be QB1 going into this year.

Over the “Bama Tailgate” YouTube channel, Mike Gillispie relayed his excitement over Keelon Russell’s prospects. However, he’s treading with caution. “I don’t expect Keelon Russell to be the starting quarterback at Alabama,” remarked Gillispie. “Can he contend? I mean, legitimately contend for the starting quarterback job? I don’t know that that is a fair expectation for him.” That does seem rational. However, with no definitive solution in the QB room, Kalen DeBoer could yet turn to the freshman.

Acknowledging this possibility, Mike Gillispie delved into a bit of a mental exercise. One that DeBoer probably does himself time and again. “What would Nick Saban do?” As a result, Gillispie came to a conclusion in the aforementioned conundrum of leaning into Keelon Russel’s unprecedented talent vs going airing on the side of patience.

Kalen DeBoer’s restraint and treatment of 5-star talent comes under question

“You don’t know how these guys are going to translate. If they’re going to work hard,” said Gillispie. Yes, Keelon Russel is some recruit. But that only takes you so far. He proceeded to say, “Nick Saban was great with the 5-star guys because he wasn’t going to be bullied by them. He wasn’t going to be pushed around and intimidated.” It can be difficult to keep a prospect of this ilk around in the transfer portal era if they aren’t getting minutes. Especially since the competition isn’t particularly strong either. 

“[Saban] didn’t care how talented you were, you were going to work hard. So we’ll see if coach DeBoer is able to do the same thing. He got the most out of his players in Washington. But can he do that in Alabama?” asked Mike Gillispie rhetorically. It’s unfair, but the truth just is that Kalen DeBoer shall be compared to Saban every step of the way.

So which direction does he head into? On one hand, DeBoer can seek to kick his Bama career into gear with a fresh face in Keelon Russell. Someone who’ll earn the reverence and captivation of the fanbase. Conversely, he can make Russell prove his worth and keep him more grounded as he enters this crucial phase of his career. Something more in line with convention and Saban. This is a dilemma that’ll weigh on coach DeBoer through spring football and into August.