The Alabama Crimson Tide will enter the 2026 season with a plethora of new faces on both sides of the football.
Alabama lost a handful of talent from last years' team to both the transfer portal and NFL draft this offseason. The Tide have a promising mix of young and veteran talent, despite some key departures, and Alabama could quickly emerge as one of the top teams in all of college football this upcoming season nonetheless.
A multitude of Crimson Tide playmakers could emerge as X-factors in 2026 as well. A prediction regarding Alabama's most productive player at each position this upcoming season can be found below.
Russell is an extremely talented quarterback who could quickly become a star this season. The sophomore was ranked as the No. 2 overall player from the class of 2025, per the 247Sports Composite, and Russell may shine as the Crimson Tide's signal caller this season if he ultimately wins the job over fellow quarterback Austin Mack.
Russell flashed elite potential in 2025 despite appearing in just two games, and the rising star will once again look to shine in Tuscaloosa this season.