As Alabama football turns the page to the 2026 season, the Crimson Tide offense will have a new identity-and a lot of new faces. With Kalen DeBoer entering his third year at the helm, the program is navigating a significant roster transition, losing a large chunk of its offensive core to the NFL Draft and the transfer portal.
Yes, Alabama dipped into the portal to plug a few holes, but the heart of the rebuild will rely on player development from within. The Tide are betting on experience-specifically, a group of returners who’ve been in the system, seen the field, and are now expected to step into bigger roles as Alabama gears up for another College Football Playoff push.
Here’s a closer look at three players with at least two years under their belt who are poised to be pivotal in shaping the Tide’s offensive future.
Austin Mack - Quarterback
With Ty Simpson heading to the NFL, Alabama finds itself in the midst of another quarterback competition. And while the spotlight might drift toward five-star phenom Keelon Russell, don’t sleep on Austin Mack.
Mack has been in the system, understands the playbook, and-most importantly-has already seen meaningful action under pressure. When Simpson went down with a cracked rib in the Rose Bowl, it was Mack who stepped in and held his own. He wrapped up the season completing 24 of 32 passes for 228 yards and two touchdowns, including an 11-for-16, 103-yard performance in that high-stakes postseason game.
At 6-foot-6 and 235 pounds, Mack has the physical tools. But it’s his familiarity with DeBoer and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb’s system-dating back to their time together at Washington-that gives him a real edge.
He’s been through the full cycle: spring, summer, fall. He’s learned from Simpson, from Russell, and from his own reps.
“It’s been a really good learning experience,” Mack said before the CFP quarterfinal. “The highs have been high.”
Now, he’s got a shot to turn those highs into consistency.
Russell, the 6-foot-3, 194-pound freshman, certainly isn’t going to make it easy. The highly touted recruit saw limited action last season, but made the most of it-completing 11 of 15 passes for 143 yards and two touchdowns in appearances against ULM and Eastern Illinois. He didn’t come to Tuscaloosa to ride the bench long-term.
But Mack has the inside track when it comes to system knowledge and in-game experience. If he can seize the moment, Alabama may have its next steady hand under center.
Ryan Williams - Wide Receiver
After a sensational freshman campaign in 2024, Ryan Williams hit a bit of a sophomore slump in 2025. The Saraland native, who once looked like the next great Alabama receiver, found himself struggling with consistency-particularly down the stretch.
But adversity often breeds growth, and Williams seems to have taken the right lessons from a challenging year.
“It gave me a lot of chances to look myself in the mirror,” he said ahead of the Rose Bowl. “It really showed me this year it’s the ultimate team sport.”
That kind of reflection matters, especially now. With Germie Bernard out of eligibility and Isaiah Horton transferring to Texas A&M, Williams becomes the most experienced and explosive returning target in the room.
Those two accounted for nearly 39% of Alabama’s receiving yardage and nearly half of the team’s receiving touchdowns last season. That’s a massive void.
Williams doesn’t have to carry the entire load alone-there will be other options-but if he can recapture the magic of his freshman year, Alabama’s offense gets a whole lot more dangerous. Remember, this is the same player who graced the cover of EA Sports’ College Football 25.
The talent is there. The question is whether he can put it all together in what could be his final season in crimson.
William Sanders - Offensive Line
Alabama’s offensive line was a sore spot throughout the 2025 season-lacking cohesion, consistency, and at times, physicality. The struggles ultimately led to the departure of offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic. And with all but one starter moving on via the NFL Draft or the transfer portal, the Tide are entering 2026 with a near-complete overhaul up front.
That’s where William Sanders comes in.
The 6-foot-3, 308-pound lineman from the 2024 recruiting class has been waiting in the wings, and now the opportunity is his for the taking. He’s expected to compete for one of the open guard spots, and if he can lock it down, he could be a stabilizing force on a line in desperate need of one.
Sanders has already drawn praise from former teammates, including 2025 first-round pick Tyler Booker, who singled him out as a player to watch.
“He had a want to learn. He loves the game of football,” Booker said. “He used somebody like me as an older guy to learn from… I’m very excited to see how Will progresses.”
That kind of hunger can’t be coached. And with Alabama’s offensive identity still taking shape, a physical, smart, and driven interior lineman like Sanders could be a foundational piece moving forward.
The Bottom Line
Alabama isn’t hitting the reset button-but it’s definitely retooling. With key veterans gone, the spotlight shifts to players like Mack, Williams, and Sanders-guys who’ve been in the program, know the culture, and are now being asked to lead.
The Tide’s 2026 ceiling will depend heavily on how quickly these returners can grow into their new roles. The talent is there.
The experience is building. And with DeBoer’s system entering Year 3, the foundation is set.
Now it’s about execution-and these three could be right at the center of it.