Alabama’s picture for Week 1 is finally getting clearer.
The Crimson Tide had already settled on Keelon Russell as their starting quarterback for the 2026 season, and fans were already aware that Ryan Coleman-Williams would be among the starters. On Friday morning, Yea Alabama! filled in more of the blanks by releasing head coach Kalen DeBoer’s depth chart.
With transfer Noah Rogers still recovering, Rico Scott is lined up to start at wide receiver alongside Coleman-Williams and Lotzeir Brooks.
The 2026 Alabama football depth chart revealed. 🚩 pic.twitter.com/nLJdEwqaxh
- Yea Alabama (@yea_ala) September 4, 2026
The backfield is where things get a little less settled. Junior Daniel Hill, Alabama’s leading returning rusher, is listed first, so he would appear to have the edge.
But the chart doesn’t lock anything in. Hill, Trae’Shawn Brown, Kevin Riley and EJ Crowell all look like options to handle the load, and Brown - a 3-star freshman from Huntsville, TX - has clearly caught the attention of fans.
Trae’shawn brown hype was real 👀
- Bailey Stierstorfer (@BmStierstorfer) September 4, 2026
Tre brown was a great find by the staff
- 3 (@liveforball) September 4, 2026
I told y’all Trae Brown was going to get some PT. Especially now that AK’s hurt
- Pate (@patewear) September 4, 2026
Sophomore rusher AK Dear could still end up with the job once he’s healthy, but for now Alabama has four active backs who can all push for touches. That kind of competition gives the Tide plenty of room to sort out the rotation early.
On the defensive side, Alabama’s front seven is packed with upperclassmen, a group that should give the Crimson Tide experience where it matters most up front.
Alabama opens against East Carolina before heading to Kentucky. The Crimson Tide and Pirates kick off Saturday at 12:00 p.m. E.T. on ABC.
In Other News...
Alabama's Opener Exposed Two Concerns Fans Can't Ignore
Alabama opened the 2026 season with a win over East Carolina, giving Kalen DeBoer a clean start to his third year on the sideline, but the game still offered an early read on where this team stands. Sophomore quarterback Keelon Russell made his first career start and looked composed enough to settle things down, using his athleticism to help keep the offense moving, while Ryan Coleman-Williams provided a real vertical threat with more than 100 receiving yards.
Even so, the Tide left with a few reminders that September can be revealing in ways a final score does not fully show. The defense looked more ready for SEC-level football than the offense did, and the issues up front on the offensive line were hard to miss as Alabama tried to sort out protection and consistency. Coleman-Williams big day also came with some costly drops, leaving the passing game with both promise and proof that there is still cleanup work to do before the schedule stiffens. [Read more 🡒]
Alabama's Young Offense Has One More Thing To Prove In Second Half
At halftime, Alabama has more than enough cushion against East Carolina, but the game has still offered a useful snapshot of where this young offense is growing and where it still needs work. The ground game has carried the day, the offensive line has given freshman quarterback Keelon Russell a clean pocket, and the defense has mostly done its job against the run while helping the Tide build a 38-7 lead.
The next step is a familiar one for Alabamas offense: making life easier on Russell by creating more separation on the outside and turning good protection into cleaner, quicker answers downfield. The defense has been sturdy in the trenches, but it has also shown a willingness to give up explosive plays when communication slips, which is the sort of detail that can matter more against better competition than it has in a lopsided first half here. [Read more 🡒]
Alabama Faces A Familiar Worry With Its Most Explosive Receiver
The opening game of the season brought an old concern back into view for Alabama, as Ryan Coleman-Williams had another rough day at the catch point. The explosive receiver has been central to what the Crimson Tide want to do offensively, and his ability to turn chances into chunk plays remains a key part of Alabamas hopes heading into the rest of the year.
Coleman-Williams did spend the offseason trying to clean up the issue, making changes aimed at improving his hands and sharpening his reliability. Even so, the early signs were a reminder that Alabamas passing attack may have to keep living with a little volatility from one of its most dangerous weapons, which is not exactly the kind of tradeoff a contender wants to carry for long. [Read more 🡒]