Week 1 of any college football season is never short on overreactions, and that holds especially true when one of the sport's biggest blue blood programs introduces a new starting quarterback.
Such was the case for Alabama Crimson Tide, ranked No. 11 in the preseason US LBM Coaches Poll, under a sweltering heat inside Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa on Saturday as folks got their first glances of former five-star quarterback Keelon Russell playing meaningful snaps.
Russell's first career start saw him account for 342 all-purpose yards in a 48-10 victory over East Carolina. The recruiting industry's No. 2-ranked quarterback in the class of 2025 completed 18 of his 30 passes for 256 yards and rushed for 86 yards and a touchdown on 13 attempts.
Which of those two stats was more impressive depends on who you ask, but it was the type of performance Russell needed. He may not have been perfect, but he more than showed off the promise, raw talent and sheer athleticism that won him the starting quarterback job over experienced senior Austin Mack in fall camp.
Russell even set an Alabama record: his 86 rushing yards were the most by a Crimson Tide quarterback making his first career start, eclipsing the 81 yards set by Jalen Milroe in Alabama's 24-20 victory over Texas A&M on Oct. 8, 2022.
After a strong debut in his first collegiate start, here's a look at what the national media are saying Keelon Russell and Alabama.
Veteran college football voice 'already sold' on Keelon Russell
Longtime college football analyst Stewart Mandel of The Athletic (subscription required for full access) included Russell's performance among his highlights from the first full Saturday of games in 2026.
Mandel said:
"I'm already sold on new Alabama QB Keelon Russell. The Class of 2025 five-star recruit showed off both his arm and his wheels in the Tide's 48-10 rout of East Carolina. There were several occasions where the Pirates had a chance to bring down Russell, only for him to scoot free and throw on the run. Alabama allowed 11 pressures, but Russell scrambled seven times for 86 yards, per TruMedia.
"Obviously, he's going to face more athletic defenses this season where the pocket collapses faster, but he should help open up the Tide's previously nonexistent run game in a way Ty Simpson could not last season."
Alabama's running backs, by the way, rushed for 128 yards on 32 carries (4.0 avg.). Daniel Hill had 47 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries, and class of 2026 five-star freshman EJ Crowell debuted with 37 yards and a score on seven rushes. Crowell's 3-yard rush with 4:12 remaining in the first quarter was the Tide's first touchdown of the season.
Five of Alabama's six touchdowns came on the ground. Three-star freshman running back Trae'shawn Brown added a short touchdown run on the first play of the fourth quarter.
Instant reactions to Alabama's dominant Week 1 win vs. East Carolina
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CBS Sports grades Keelon Russell's first start for Alabama football
Along with other first-year starting quarterbacks, CBS Sports included Russell on its list of Week 1 college football winners and losers. Analyst Shehan Jeyarajah said:
"A number of underclassman quarterbacks got on the field for the first time in Week 1, and there were some encouraging signs. Alabama's Keelon Russell showed off impressive arm and legs with 342 total yards and a touchdown in a 48-10 win over East Carolina."
Elsewhere at CBS Sports, college football analyst Brad Crawford gave Russell a B+ grade for his performance in the Tide's 38-point win over East Carolina.
"Keelon Russell's first career start at Alabama looked more like a preview than a finished product ... Russell appeared comfortable in the pocket, showed fluidity in the run game, and never seemed to allow the moment or weight of the Crimson Tide's quarterback job to speed him up.
"His field vision stood out, especially when working through progressions and locating options across multiple levels of the defense. He did not look overwhelmed. Russell looked prepared, composed and capable of handling everything Alabama's staff asked him to manage in his debut. That alone should excite Kalen DeBoer moving forward. --Brad Crawford, CBS Sports.
Crawford concluded:
"Let's offer up a B+ in Russell's first start, which offered encouraging poise, several high-level flashes and enough command to believe bigger performances are coming soon."
USA TODAY Sports' Austin Curtright added of Russell:
"Keelon Russell’s pure talent is virtually unmatched, although he looked like a second-year player making his first career start at times... Russell needs to learn how to avoid taking so many unnecessary hits, but the talent is undeniable."
Keelon Russell's 'fascinating development' at QB changes the calculus for Alabama offense
The Sporting News singled out Russell's ability to run as part of a wrinkle that could benefit Alabama's offense the most going forward.
Analyst Rodney Knuppel highlighted Russell's 23-yard scramble on the Crimson Tide's first series as evidence and said:
"A mobile quarterback forces a defense to account for one additional runner on every play. For Alabama, that could create more favorable opportunities for its running backs while preventing pass rushers from attacking without hesitation. Russell does not need to run 13 times every week, but the threat must be respected."
The Sporting News added:
"Russell was not simply an accurate passer surrounded by elite talent. He was a creator who could turn broken plays into productive ones and punish defenders for losing containment.
"That dimension could become the difference between Alabama having a good offense and an exceptionally difficult one to stop. Russell's first start showed Alabama may have found more than a new quarterback. The Crimson Tide may have found the dynamic weapon their offense was missing."
Who does Alabama football play next? SEC opener for Crimson Tide looms
Alabama travels to Lexington to face the Kentucky Wildcats at Kroger Field Saturday, Sept. 12. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. CT. The game will be televised on ABC.
Alabama football schedule 2026
- Sept. 5: vs. East Carolina Pirates (W, 48-10)
- Sept. 12: at Kentucky Wildcats, 2:30 p.m., ABC
- Sept. 19: vs. Florida State Seminoles, 2:30 p.m., ABC
- Sept. 26: vs. South Carolina Gamecocks, prime time
- Oct. 3: at Mississippi State Bulldogs, early window
- Oct. 10: vs. Georgia Bulldogs, prime time
- Oct. 17: at Tennessee Volunteers, TBA
- Oct. 24: vs. Texas A&M Aggies, TBA
- Nov. 7: at LSU Tigers, TBA
- Nov. 14: at Vanderbilt Commodores, TBA
- Nov. 21: vs. Chattanooga Mocs, 1 p.m., SEC Network+
- Nov. 28: vs. Auburn Tigers, TBA
Record: 1-0.
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This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: National media sounds off on Keelon Russell, Alabama after Week 1 rout
