Senior Team Writer for BamaOnLine, On3 | Covering Alabama football, men's basketball since 2013 | Contact me: cmpotter6@gmail.com https://www.on3.com/user/charlie-potter/https://bsky.app/profile/charliepotter.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/charliepotter.bsky.social/post/3muaj23ikxk2wAlabama begins the 2026 season in one week. Here are superlatives for this year's Crimson Tide team. - MVPs for all 3 phases - Breakout candidates - Top freshman, transfers - Most anticipated game - UA's win-loss record https://www.on3.com/teams/alabama-crimson-tide/news/predicting-alabama-football-mvps-breakout-players-and-more-for-2026-season/29 Aug 2026 18:29 +0000at://did:plc:eol4mhttlvna3ligkijrihfc/app.bsky.feed.post/3muaj23ikxk2whttps://bsky.app/profile/charliepotter.bsky.social/post/3mu664aogjc2kRed Morgan returns after ending 2025 as the starting Husky, but Alabama has quality depth there. Here's what Kane Wommack said about other options, like Chuck McDonald and Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. https://www.on3.com/teams/alabama-crimson-tide/news/red-morgan-returns-as-the-starter-but-alabama-has-quality-depth-at-husky-position/28 Aug 2026 20:08 +0000at://did:plc:eol4mhttlvna3ligkijrihfc/app.bsky.feed.post/3mu664aogjc2khttps://bsky.app/profile/charliepotter.bsky.social/post/3mu5xuityzk2kFormer linemen Courtney Morgan, Aaron Taylor impressed by new Alabama OL coach Adrian Klemm "It'll be the hiring of Adrian Klemm and his impact — assuming that they can stay healthy — that will have Alabama back in the playoffs." https://www.on3.com/teams/alabama-crimson-tide/news/former-linemen-impressed-by-new-alabama-ol-coach-adrian-klemm/28 Aug 2026 18:16 +0000at://did:plc:eol4mhttlvna3ligkijrihfc/app.bsky.feed.post/3mu5xuityzk2khttps://bsky.app/profile/charliepotter.bsky.social/post/3mu5nkmpfss2kAlabama coach Kalen DeBoer has a positive health outlook ahead of the 2026 season, via McElroy and Cubelice in the Morning. "There are some guys that got dinged up in fall camp, but nothing that's going to keep guys out beyond, in my mind, four or five games." https://www.on3.com/teams/alabama-crimson-tide/news/kalen-deboer-has-positive-injury-outlook-ahead-of-alabamas-2026-season/28 Aug 2026 15:12 +0000at://did:plc:eol4mhttlvna3ligkijrihfc/app.bsky.feed.post/3mu5nkmpfss2khttps://bsky.app/profile/charliepotter.bsky.social/post/3mu3vulh6js2kAlabama TE Josh Ford has seen a difference in Keelon Russell since he was named the starting QB. "As soon as he got named the guy, it seems like he just kind of exploded. ... He just seems like he's extremely locked in right now." https://www.on3.com/teams/alabama-crimson-tide/news/alabama-teammate-sees-a-difference-in-keelon-russell-after-he-was-named-starting-qb/27 Aug 2026 22:35 +0000at://did:plc:eol4mhttlvna3ligkijrihfc/app.bsky.feed.post/3mu3vulh6js2khttps://bsky.app/profile/charliepotter.bsky.social/post/3mu3jqesgk22kNew Alabama tight end Josh Ford explains his physical approach to blocking and football in general. "I just love to hit people. That’s my passion for the game. ... The sheer will of just putting someone on their back is just the best feeling ever." https://www.on3.com/teams/alabama-crimson-tide/news/new-alabama-te-josh-ford-explains-his-physical-approach-to-football/27 Aug 2026 18:58 +0000at://did:plc:eol4mhttlvna3ligkijrihfc/app.bsky.feed.post/3mu3jqesgk22khttps://bsky.app/profile/charliepotter.bsky.social/post/3mu3emjbz4k2kAlabama freshman Jireh Edwards (arm) staying engaged mentally to be ready to roll once he's healthy "As soon as he gets back, we will want to get him on the field as quickly as possible because he will be a very productive player on our defense." https://www.on3.com/teams/alabama-crimson-tide/news/jireh-edwards-staying-engaged-mentally-to-be-ready-to-roll-once-healthy/27 Aug 2026 17:27 +0000at://did:plc:eol4mhttlvna3ligkijrihfc/app.bsky.feed.post/3mu3emjbz4k2khttps://bsky.app/profile/charliepotter.bsky.social/post/3mu35gbo6qc2k'He's a special talent': Alabama GM Courtney Morgan is excited for newly-named QB1 Keelon Russell "You're insulting Keelon if you think he's a running quarterback, because he'll kill you with his arm. But he will kill you with his feet, too." https://www.on3.com/teams/alabama-crimson-tide/news/alabama-gm-excited-for-qb1-keelon-russell-hes-a-special-talent/27 Aug 2026 15:18 +0000at://did:plc:eol4mhttlvna3ligkijrihfc/app.bsky.feed.post/3mu35gbo6qc2khttps://bsky.app/profile/charliepotter.bsky.social/post/3mu2zugw6xc2oAlabama GM Courtney Morgan responds to the 'narrative' about Crimson Tide's roster spending "We are very cautious and risk-averse. We really take the time to get to know the young men we want to bring into the building and invest our money into." https://www.on3.com/teams/alabama-crimson-tide/news/alabama-gm-courtney-morgan-responds-to-narrative-about-crimson-tide-finances/27 Aug 2026 14:14 +0000at://did:plc:eol4mhttlvna3ligkijrihfc/app.bsky.feed.post/3mu2zugw6xc2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/charliepotter.bsky.social/post/3mtz3ja7sh22qWhat's it like to defend QB Keelon Russell? Alabama DC weighs in "There's just guys that ... have a natural, instinctive vision for the field, and they can work through a progression very quickly and find an open man. Keelon has it." https://www.on3.com/teams/alabama-crimson-tide/news/whats-it-like-to-defend-keelon-russell-alabama-dc-weighs-in/26 Aug 2026 19:38 +0000at://did:plc:eol4mhttlvna3ligkijrihfc/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtz3ja7sh22qhttps://bsky.app/profile/charliepotter.bsky.social/post/3mtywpwyyx22vWho is Alabama's 2nd-best pass rusher behind Yhonzae Pierre? Kane Wommack named several options, including 3 new guys. "Devan Thompkins does a really good job. Desmond Zulu brings a lot to the table there. Excited about a young guy in Xavier Griffin." https://www.on3.com/teams/alabama-crimson-tide/news/who-is-alabamas-second-best-pass-rusher-behind-yhonzae-pierre/26 Aug 2026 18:13 +0000at://did:plc:eol4mhttlvna3ligkijrihfc/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtywpwyyx22vhttps://bsky.app/profile/charliepotter.bsky.social/post/3mtytzjg25k2vSophomore LB Luke Metz to start Alabama's 2026 season opener "He just sees the run fits so much better right now. He's got a little bit of a field general presence. ... I mean, it's the way you want a linebacker to play the game." https://www.on3.com/teams/alabama-crimson-tide/news/sophomore-linebacker-luke-metz-to-start-alabama-2026-season-opener/26 Aug 2026 17:24 +0000at://did:plc:eol4mhttlvna3ligkijrihfc/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtytzjg25k2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/charliepotter.bsky.social/post/3mtynv5gld22vJeremiah Beaman injury update: The Alabama DL is set to miss the 2026 season because of another torn ACL, according to Yea Alabama. Brutal news for the third-year DL. https://www.on3.com/teams/alabama-crimson-tide/news/jeremiah-beaman-update-alabama-dl-to-miss-2026-season/26 Aug 2026 15:34 +0000at://did:plc:eol4mhttlvna3ligkijrihfc/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtynv5gld22vhttps://bsky.app/profile/charliepotter.bsky.social/post/3mtyjrh36ds2vAlabama's tight ends have been "one of the absolute bright spots" this preseason, Ryan Grubb says. He praised several individuals on Tuesday, including a sophomore that he described as "a weapon." "They're all showing up." https://www.on3.com/teams/alabama-crimson-tide/news/alabama-oc-praises-multiple-tight-ends-theyre-all-showing-up/26 Aug 2026 14:21 +0000at://did:plc:eol4mhttlvna3ligkijrihfc/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtyjrh36ds2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/charliepotter.bsky.social/post/3mtygyxu4gc2vRyan Grubb: Alabama QB Keelon Russell has 'really taken the bull by the horns as a starter' this week "He's playing confident. He's operating at an incredibly high level right now. So, we're really excited for him." https://www.on3.com/teams/alabama-crimson-tide/news/ryan-grubb-alabama-qb-keelon-russell-has-really-taken-the-bull-by-the-horns-as-a-starter/26 Aug 2026 13:31 +0000at://did:plc:eol4mhttlvna3ligkijrihfc/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtygyxu4gc2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/charliepotter.bsky.social/post/3mtweosaqus2wAlabama 'close' to figuring out its starting five along offensive line "There's still a couple battles that are lingering. Specifically, Mal and Will have been trading off the one reps. Other than that, it's been pretty consistent." https://www.on3.com/teams/alabama-crimson-tide/news/alabama-close-to-figuring-out-starting-five-along-offensive-line-oc-says/25 Aug 2026 17:45 +0000at://did:plc:eol4mhttlvna3ligkijrihfc/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtweosaqus2whttps://bsky.app/profile/charliepotter.bsky.social/post/3mtvwzxmomk2vKalen DeBoer shares his message to Austin Mack after QB decision "He didn't lose anything. He didn't fail in any way. We had a really good quarterback in Keelon that we had to pick to win, and he won the job." https://www.on3.com/teams/alabama-crimson-tide/news/kalen-deboer-shares-his-message-to-austin-mack-after-naming-keelon-russell-qb1/25 Aug 2026 13:40 +0000at://did:plc:eol4mhttlvna3ligkijrihfc/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtvwzxmomk2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/charliepotter.bsky.social/post/3mtuabmhzfk2cWhat Keelon Russell did to win the Alabama QB battle, per DeBoer: "He's done a better job, with the more and more reps, of taking care of the football, balancing that with the ability to still be explosive and not be too conservative." https://www.on3.com/teams/alabama-crimson-tide/news/what-keelon-russell-did-to-win-alabama-qb-battle-according-to-kalen-deboer/24 Aug 2026 21:20 +0000at://did:plc:eol4mhttlvna3ligkijrihfc/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtuabmhzfk2chttps://bsky.app/profile/charliepotter.bsky.social/post/3mtu35hg7jc2cFive-star Alabama freshman Jireh Edwards will undergo surgery after a right arm injury, per Yea Alabama. https://www.on3.com/teams/alabama-crimson-tide/news/jireh-edwards-injury-update-alabama-freshman-db-to-undergo-surgery/24 Aug 2026 19:48 +0000at://did:plc:eol4mhttlvna3ligkijrihfc/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtu35hg7jc2chttps://bsky.app/profile/charliepotter.bsky.social/post/3mttxp7bdfc2cKalen DeBoer provided a positive update on WR Noah Rogers (knee), who recently returned to practice. "He's not doing team drills or anything like that, but he's making a progression, and he's much ahead of schedule from what we originally thought." https://www.on3.com/teams/alabama-crimson-tide/news/noah-rogers-update-alabama-wr-much-ahead-of-schedule-in-recovery/24 Aug 2026 18:47 +0000at://did:plc:eol4mhttlvna3ligkijrihfc/app.bsky.feed.post/3mttxp7bdfc2chttps://bsky.app/profile/charliepotter.bsky.social/post/3mttue6p3ms2cLatest on Alabama DL Jeremiah Beaman, who suffered an injury in Sunday's preseason practice. "We have an idea of what the injury is. I would wait to comment on it until we get a further understanding, and that would probably be tomorrow." https://www.on3.com/teams/alabama-crimson-tide/news/jeremiah-beaman-update-alabama-dl-injured-in-sundays-preseason-practice/24 Aug 2026 17:47 +0000at://did:plc:eol4mhttlvna3ligkijrihfc/app.bsky.feed.post/3mttue6p3ms2chttps://bsky.app/profile/charliepotter.bsky.social/post/3mtthiohagc2cMaking his second straight start, rookie tight end Josh Cuevas led the Ravens with 46 receiving yards in their 13-3 win over the Vikings. Full Tide in the NFL recap for Week 2 of the league's 2026 preseason: https://www.on3.com/teams/alabama-crimson-tide/news/tide-in-the-nfl-josh-cuevas-leads-ravens-in-receiving-in-preseason-win/24 Aug 2026 13:57 +0000at://did:plc:eol4mhttlvna3ligkijrihfc/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtthiohagc2chttps://bsky.app/profile/charliepotter.bsky.social/post/3mtr2moe6ik22The final scrimmage is behind us, and game day is only 13 days out. Here's where Alabama's position battles on defense stand entering the final week of the preseason. https://www.on3.com/teams/alabama-crimson-tide/news/where-alabama-position-battles-stand-after-final-scrimmage-defense/23 Aug 2026 15:01 +0000at://did:plc:eol4mhttlvna3ligkijrihfc/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtr2moe6ik22https://bsky.app/profile/charliepotter.bsky.social/post/3mtozkm5o3222From SMU commit to Alabama's QB1, chronicling Keelon Russell's journey to Saturday's decision. https://www.on3.com/teams/alabama-crimson-tide/news/chronicling-keelon-russell-journey-from-smu-commit-to-alabama-qb1/22 Aug 2026 19:37 +0000at://did:plc:eol4mhttlvna3ligkijrihfc/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtozkm5o3222https://bsky.app/profile/charliepotter.bsky.social/post/3mtop7t3av222The final scrimmage is behind us, and game day is only 14 days out. Here's where Alabama's position battles on offense stand entering the final week of the preseason. https://www.on3.com/teams/alabama-crimson-tide/news/where-alabama-position-battles-stand-after-final-scrimmage-offense/22 Aug 2026 16:32 +0000at://did:plc:eol4mhttlvna3ligkijrihfc/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtop7t3av222https://bsky.app/profile/charliepotter.bsky.social/post/3mtoluyvru22kAlabama names Keelon Russell as its starting QB for the '26 season. https://www.on3.com/teams/alabama-crimson-tide/news/alabama-names-keelon-russell-its-starting-quarterback-for-2026-season/22 Aug 2026 15:32 +0000at://did:plc:eol4mhttlvna3ligkijrihfc/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtoluyvru22khttps://bsky.app/profile/charliepotter.bsky.social/post/3mtmc3cf6ac2zConor Talty and transfer Lorcann Quinn continue to compete for the placekicking position at Alabama. “It's a strong competition right now. I mean, it's a battle." https://www.on3.com/teams/alabama-crimson-tide/news/its-a-battle-quinn-talty-continue-to-compete-for-alabama-placekicker-role/21 Aug 2026 17:31 +0000at://did:plc:eol4mhttlvna3ligkijrihfc/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtmc3cf6ac2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/charliepotter.bsky.social/post/3mtlzzaksjc2zAlabama Football Stock Report Five trending areas after the Tide's final scrimmage of the preseason. 📈 Derek Meadows 📈 Pre-snap checks Full list: https://www.on3.com/teams/alabama-crimson-tide/news/stock-report-five-areas-trending-up-for-alabama-after-final-scrimmage/21 Aug 2026 15:07 +0000at://did:plc:eol4mhttlvna3ligkijrihfc/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtlzzaksjc2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/charliepotter.bsky.social/post/3mtk2qbblss2gAlabama freshman RB Trae'shawn Brown continues to trend up after another solid scrimmage showing. "You just feel more and more comfortable with him out there. ... He's going out there and making plays and continuing to progress." https://www.on3.com/teams/alabama-crimson-tide/news/alabama-rb-traeshawn-brown-continues-to-trend-up-after-final-scrimmage/20 Aug 2026 20:14 +0000at://did:plc:eol4mhttlvna3ligkijrihfc/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtk2qbblss2ghttps://bsky.app/profile/charliepotter.bsky.social/post/3mtjxa556v22sEJ Crowell injury update: Alabama RB misses final scrimmage, but... "We're really hopeful that sometime next week, he's coming back to step on the football field to practice." https://www.on3.com/teams/alabama-crimson-tide/news/ej-crowell-injury-update-alabama-rb-misses-another-scrimmage-but-expected-back-soon/20 Aug 2026 19:12 +0000at://did:plc:eol4mhttlvna3ligkijrihfc/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtjxa556v22s