Alabama Roster Rankings: Keelon Russell's rare skillset will eventually elevate Crimson Tide offense to another level

Fall camp continues to get closer and closer for Alabama, as the Crimson Tide are set to get back on the practice field on July 30 with the first game coming exactly one month later against Florida State. So we continue on with our summer roster rankings where we take a look at almost every player individually.

The only ones who won't be included in the rankings are those three summer enrollees (Chuck McDonald, Kaleb Edwards and London Simmons) and freshman punter Alex Asparuhov, who was out the entire spring due to injury. That brings the total number to 78 players while the first rankings included just 59 players (freshmen and JUCO weren't included).

Previous roster rankings: Nos. 74-78, Nos. 70-73, Nos. 66-69; Nos. 62-65; Nos. 58-61; Nos. 54-57; Nos. 50-53; Nos. 46-49; Nos. 42-45; Nos.  38-41

No. 37 - QB Keelon Russell

Previous ranking: N/A

Russell is my second-highest rated freshman for Alabama going into fall camp. Does that mean he's the second-closest to significant playing time? Well no, because there's only one quarterback on the field, but he's certainly lived up to his five-star billing early. Now, it's all about getting more comfortable in the system, which should come with time.

The Duncanville (Tex.) native brings a perfect skillset for a Kalen DeBoer-Ryan Grubb offense. He has more than enough mobility to win with his legs, but he'd much rather win from the pocket and deliver the football to his playmakers. He sees the big picture when it comes to offense. He has a good feel for knowing where he wants to go with the football, and he's got the mechanics and physical tools to put it in a spot where his guys can make plays after the catch.

No, I don't currently project him to be Alabama's starting quarterback in 2025, but that doesn't make him any less important to the program, both for this season and beyond. For now, he'll ride as a valuable backup who could end up pushing for playing time (and maybe even the starting job) as he gets more comfortable. I remain a big believer in Ty Simpson, but you never want to rule out a talent like Russell.

Projected role in 2025: QB2

No. 36 - BANDIT Kelby Collins 

Previous ranking: No. 27 (-7)

I'm having a hard time with Collins. I like the talent a lot and think he'll be a valuable piece of Alabama's defensive line rotation, but exactly where and how does he fit into that rotation?

Back in the spring, he reported at 6-foot-4, 285 pounds, which was a little heavier than I was expecting for him as a projected Bandit. Then I noticed that he was playing inside on A-Day, so I started to wonder if he'd be that fifth interior piece alongside Tim Keenan III, James Smith, Jeremiah Beaman and Edric Hill.

I still think he's going to get some situational work inside, but the latest roster update has him listed at 275 pounds, which is more in line with what I was expecting for him as a Bandit. Here's what I don't think happened... he dropped 10 pounds while still expecting to play primarily inside, so I'm now back to believing that he'll be primarily a Bandit.

That's totally fine, but it's still a loaded position group with LT Overton, Jordan Renaud and Keon Keeley all expecting to be in the mix too. More than likely, Collins sees rotational snaps as a fourth Bandit and as a fifth interior defensive lineman to bolster both groups.

Projected role in 2025: Rotational BANDIT/IDL

No. 35 - WR Jalen Hale

Previous ranking: No. 34 (+0)

A lot of Hale's role is going to come down to health. After a severe knee injury last spring wiped out his entire second season at Alabama, it's hard to know what to expect from him in 2025. I do think he'll be healthy enough to be a part of the rotation though, and I wouldn't be surprised if his ball-winning ability downfield proved to be useful in Grubb's offense.

Ryan Williams, Germie Bernard and Isaiah Horton are projected to start, and I've said multiple times throughout this offseason that I think Rico Scott will be Alabama's fourth receiver. But that fifth spot is still up for grabs between Hale, Lotzeir Brooks, Cole Adams and Jaylen Mbakwe. I can see Brooks pushing for it over the course of the season, but for now, I'm expecting Hale to be that guy as another outside option.

Projected role in 2025: Backup X-WR/ST

No. 34 - RB Daniel Hill

Previous ranking: No. 51 (+18)

Spoiler alert: Hill ties for the highest climber in my summer rankings along with another player who will be named later. Out of the initial 59 players ranked pre-spring, he checked in near the bottom at No. 51. Now, he's all the way up to No. 34 and isn't too far behind Alabama's RB2.

There's a reason for that jump, as Hill generated a lot of buzz this spring. That's both publicly and in private circles that I've spoken to. Not only does he continue to get bigger (now listed at 6-1, 242 pounds) and stronger, but he was one of the most consistent running backs in the spring.

Hill's ability to consistently churn out 4-5 yards can be a massive help in keeping Alabama's offense on schedule. Not only that, but he's a fantastic receiver out of the backfield while also providing a true power option in short-yardage situations. We don't a lot to go on as far as the pass blocking (only two pass-blocking snaps in 2024), but from what I've heard, he's effective there too.

I still have Hill checking in as the RB3 behind Jam Miller and Richard Young, but I wouldn't be completely shocked if he pushed for either one of their jobs this fall. He's got to keep progressing like he did in the spring though, which remains to be seen.

Projected role in 2025: RB3/ST