⚡ CFB Dashboard

- Alabama selected Keelon Russell as its starting quarterback because his athleticism and designed-run value give the offense a dimension Austin Mack does not provide. - Daniel Hill leads Alabama's backfield and Kevin Riley closed camp well, while freshman Trae'shawn Brown forced his way into the early rotation and Ezavier Crowell may remain out until Week 2 after missing every spring and fall scrimmage. - Alabama's offensive line settled faster than expected with Mal Waldrep Jr. favored at left guard, four other positions effectively decided and less rotation planned than last season despite 11 new faces. - Yhonzae Pierre is Alabama's clear lead edge rusher, but the defense still lacks a proven secondary source of sacks and pressures after ranking eighth in the SEC in sacks last season. - Zabien Brown and Dijon Lee form Alabama's established starting cornerback pair with Carmelo O'Neal third, while Jorden Edmonds' injury is expected to reduce the position's usual rotation.

- Yhonzae Pierre remains Alabama's most experienced pass rusher, with Devan Thompkins, Desmond Zulu, Xavier Griffin, Kevonte Henry and Justin Hill competing to establish the next reliable option. - Defensive lineman Jeremiah Beaman tore the ACL in the same knee he injured last year, forcing Alabama to lean on its cross-trained interior and Bandit defenders for added depth. - Jah-Marien Latham will serve as a front-seven utility piece who can play boundary Wolf, field Bandit and three-technique in passing situations. - Luke Metz and Caleb Woodson are Alabama's current starting inside linebackers, with Metz showing major gains in run-fit anticipation, communication and confidence. - Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. is expected to play both Rover and Husky, while Chuck McDonald has expanded from corner to nickel after improving his man coverage and anticipation.

- Alabama's running-back room remains one of the offense's largest unresolved questions entering the season. - The projected starters at left guard and inside linebacker were not viewed as the staff's original plan, signaling that injuries, availability or missed portal targets have forced meaningful depth-chart adjustments. - Wide receiver availability is still uncertain because the staff does not know when Noah Rogers will be ready. - The early schedule is expected to give Keelon Russell time to settle in at quarterback, provided Alabama avoids an opening-week setback.

- Alabama lost defensive lineman Jeremiah Beaman to a season-ending ACL injury; defensive back Jorden Edmonds is targeted for a midseason return, while EJ Crowell and receiver Noah Rogers are expected back sooner. Arkansas lost tight end Maddox Lassiter, defensive lineman J'Lynn Allen and punter Connor Smith for 2026, but RB1 Sutton Smith should be ready for the opener. - Auburn linebacker J.J. Faulk is out for the year, with tight end Jonathan Edwards, tackle Tai Buster and corner Devin Williams still uncertain. Florida reported no major camp loss; Georgia remains without Amaris Williams and likely Dante Dowdell, while center Drew Bobo should play. Kentucky running back Tovani Mizell is out, with Jovante Barnes and receiver Nic Anderson questionable. - LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt and linebacker Whit Weeks are full-go, though edge Gabe Reliford remains out. Missouri RB Ahmad Hardy will miss the opener but is practicing; Gavin Hoffman should be ready and Donta Simpson is cleared. Oklahoma center Jake Maikkula is expected to miss at least a couple of weeks. - Ole Miss reported no major preseason injury. South Carolina lost receivers Jaden Sellers and Jayden Gibson for the season, with tackle Jacarrius Peak expected out roughly two weeks and Dylan Stewart unavailable opening weekend. Tennessee lost Edrees Farooq, Jaedon Harmon and Jadas Richard, with several more questionable plus Arion Carter suspended one game. - Texas is evaluating left tackle Trevor Goosby's knee, though no tear was initially indicated. Texas A&M lost Chace Sims and Tiger Riden for the season and receiver Jerome Myles left the team. Vanderbilt had no major new camp injury, while Mississippi State's principal questions are receiver Ayden Williams and limited defensive linemen D.J. Reed and Kalvin Dinkins.

- Alabama football’s second fall scrimmage provided another important evaluation opportunity for Kalen DeBoer and his coaching staff as the Crimson Tide continues to prepare for the 2026 season. - With the season opener against East Carolina now just around the corner, Alabama is beginning to get a much clearer picture of which players are ready to take on significant roles.

- Russell will enter the season as Alabama's starting quarterback and was consistently described in camp coverage as the room's most talented option. - The staff is expected to lean on Kalen DeBoer's history of tailoring his offense to each quarterback's skill set. - Russell's inexperience adds volatility early, but Alabama opens with East Carolina, Kentucky, Florida State, South Carolina, and Mississippi State before the schedule strengthens late. - A defense expected to be good could reduce the immediate burden on the first-year starter while he settles into the offense.

- QB: They’ll never admit it, but the thought of this defense with Bryce 2.0 at QB makes certain fanbases very queasy.

- The Crimson Tide held its first scrimmage inside Bryant-Denny Stadium, allowing Kalen DeBoer and his coaching staff to evaluate players in a more game-like environment. - From the quarterback battle between Austin Mack and Keelon Russell to an increasingly competitive running back room and a defensive front that continues to generate plenty of optimism, there was no shortage of players whose stock rose.

- Alabama's win total was set at 8.5, with the over priced at -120 in the market discussed by the panel. - The quarterback competition remained unresolved, with neither the receivers nor coaching staff signaling a leader; the expectation was to settle on one starter rather than carry a two-quarterback plan into the season. - The staff also wants the offensive line settled before turning the first unit loose, making continuity at quarterback and up front a key variable behind the win-total case. - The defense was expected to feature one of the country's best secondaries, while added size along the defensive line was cited as another reason for optimism.

- TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer spent time with reporters inside Bryant-Denny Stadium on Thursday after the program held a two-hour scrimmage. - DeBoer spoke about the quarterback battle, the offensive line and gave injury updates for key skill position players. "EJ did not scrimmage today. - He'll be out for a few practices here. - He won't miss any games down the road. - So he did not practice...

- QB: Predicting the 2026 Alabama Football Season: Tennessee Vols’ QB Problem.

- Defense: ALABAMA SCRIMMAGE NO.

- OL/DL: Physicality has to be practiced everyday and and coached everyday.

- Defense: Alabama defensive analyst Jarret Johnson at practice today

- Defense: Alabama defensive analyst Jarret Johnson at practice today

- DL: Jarret Johnson took a moment to talk to freshman DL Nolan Wilson after a rep in practice today

- Defense: Best shot of Jarret Johnson today at practice.

- DL: Saban tells Kalen DeBoer he was impressed with the Alabama defensive line and whole defensive unit from what he saw in the spring game.

- DB: Alabama CB Zabien Brown said his favorite subject in school is math.