The Alabama Crimson Tide has long been the gold standard of college football, but even dynasties stumble. The 2024 season saw Bama flashing brilliance one week—like their signature win over Georgia—only to crumble the next against teams they’d usually dominate. The inconsistency was just baffling. Sorry to say, but now a former QB Jalen Milroe left some mystery on his future and theirs right after a 19-13 ReliaQuest Bowl loss to Michigan but, the glaring problem dates back long, he declared for the 2025 NFL draft. He took his sweet time to orchestrate the perfect buildup before declaring. Can this 5-Star out of Duncanville High, who knows how to feather the fine line between risk and reward, be the savior of Kalen DeBoer? Is it even right to say that so early on?

Josh Pate, ever the voice of measured optimism and biting critique, broke it down succinctly on Josh Pate’s College Football Show episode 598 with Josh Pate. It all begins with #4, Jalen Miroe. In a world where the quarterback position dictates fortunes, Alabama found itself adrift. In a year where he humbled Georgia and LSU, was hit by Karma against Vandy and OU. Pate dissected the reason, “They were held hostage by that position(quarterback) all year, I mean how schizophrenic did that offense look.” No lies detected, for an offense who had 11 picks this season. Who’s to blame? Surely not the coach? “look how bad did DeBoer’s offense look this year. It wasn’t his offense it was just Jalen Milroe showing up or not.” This isn’t the first time, but normally you be bit more cautious and don’t expect that from a multi-year starter. The Saban era is long gone and that is why out of the three sweet options, 2025 five-star recruit Keelon Russell could be that guy.

“Keelon Russell is your guy,” Pate declared, putting the weight of the Crimson Tide’s future squarely on the shoulders of their highest-rated recruit since Bryce Young. Deemed the “Future of the Bama” Keelon Russell has already impressed Kalen DeBoer and certainly Pate. Josh looks at it in this way, “The way I choose to look at Alabama right now is through a two-year lens.” He added, “by 2026 I think Keelon Russell is your starter and I think you are competing for a national championship with him as your starter.” Being generous you can add a cheery on the top if they are at the party early this year. Needless to say, “this is not some poverty program they will be very competitive in 2025.” Not sure about quarterbacking as Kalen DeBoer, tasked with the unenviable job of picking up the pieces after Milroe’s rollercoaster tenure.

The belief in Keelon Russell, a 6’4” phenom comes from his stats. With over 70% completion rate, 3,874 passing yards, and an eye-popping 53 touchdowns to just four interceptions. Those numbers scream potential, but the potential isn’t a championship. Pate’s cautious framing speaks volumes: Alabama’s QB1 job for 2025 might still be up for grabs, but Russell is the crown jewel of DeBoer’s plans, even if patience is required.

That patience is critical. For now, it comes in the form of three quarterbacks: Ty Simpson, Austin Mack, and the freshman, Keelon Russell. Simpson, the senior-most QB, brings experience but hasn’t shown enough to cement himself as the heir apparent. Mack, a talented freshman, is still a question mark. And then there’s Russell, whose potential feels limitless. But is it too much to expect a true freshman to step into the cauldron of SEC football and deliver a championship-caliber ball? “I choose to never expect that out of anyone,” Pate said, cautioning against placing unrealistic expectations on a player, no matter how talented. “If I get it, I’m just pleasantly surprised.” Still, the allure of Russell is impossible to ignore. The Gatorade National Football Player of the Year has a knack for threading the needle, balancing risk and reward with a poise that belies his age.

Kalen DeBoer faces a delicate balancing act, no more benefit of the doubt entering his 2 year at the helm. He needs to groom Russell for the future while keeping Alabama competitive in the present. The Tide aren’t built to languish in mediocrity, and a nine-win season, while respectable for most programs, is a disappointment in Tuscaloosa. And the QB battle this offseason will be one of the most scrutinized in college football. Russell has the tools to win the job outright, but his competition isn’t rolling over.

The question isn’t just whether Keelon Russell can handle the pressure; it’s whether Alabama can afford to wait.

Never knew someone would be this happy with Jalen Milroe leaving

Undeniably a good thing for Keelon Russell, who’s expected to take control of the Crimson Tide cruise ship. Paul Finebaum isn’t one to shy away from a bold take, and his latest involves former Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe the Bama head coach. According to the veteran ESPN analyst, Milroe’s departure from the Crimson Tide might just be the best news DeBoer’s had all year.

“I’m sure Kalen DeBoer would’ve rather brought in someone he’s more comfortable with,” Finebaum said on The Paul Finebaum Show, per ESPN. “Milroe won them a couple of games, sure. But let’s not forget—he cost them a couple, too. In the end, I think DeBoer’s happy he’s gone, even if he’d never admit it.”

As Milroe heads out, the spotlight shifts to Russell, who now has the chance to step into the void. And let’s just say some folks are pretty high on him. Colin Gay of Tuscaloosa News is already comparing Russell to none other than Bryce Young, Alabama’s Heisman-winning star. Gay believes Russell could follow in Young’s footsteps and compete for starting quarterback reps sooner rather than later.

“Based on Young’s path, Russell has what it takes to make an immediate impact,” Gay wrote confidently. He hasn’t thrown a ball in the grueling temperature of SEC and the dude already has two high-profile fans.