Predicting who wins Alabama's top position battles entering fall camp

Predicting who wins Alabama's top position battles entering fall camp

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

Predicting who wins Alabama's top position battles entering fall camp

There is no secret surrounding what the biggest questions for the Alabama Crimson Tide are as the program begins 2026 fall camp this week.

The Crimson Tide have yet to name a starting quarterback ahead of their Week 1 showdown with East Carolina, with that competition likely the biggest storyline for Alabama entering fall camp.

In addition to that, the Crimson Tide also have a few other competitions ongoing at certain positions that will also be determining who starts at that respective spot in Week 1. Among those alongside quarterback are inside linebacker, as well as kicker.

Here is a pre-fall camp prediction for who ends up starting for Alabama at each of those three positions in Week 1.

Quarterback

Apr 11, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Keelon Russell (12) looks for a receiver during the Alabama A-Day spring football scrimmage game at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Leong-Imagn Images

  • Names To Know: Austin Mack (Senior), Keelon Russell (Sophomore), John Gazzaniga (Sophomore), Jett Thomalla (Freshman), Tayden-Evan Kaawa (Freshman)
  • Prediction: Keelon Russell

Alabama's starting quarterback during Week 1 against East Carolina will be either senior Austin Mack or sophomore Keelon Russell, a competition that has been talked about going back to spring. Both will likely see significant playing time during Week 1, and Alabama's offense will be in a good spot regardless of whether Mack or Russell wins the job.

Inside Linebacker

April 11, 2026; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker QB Reese (36) breaks away from Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Jayvin James (54) to put pressure on Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Austin Mack (10) at Bryant-Denny Stadium during the Alabama A Day scrimmage.

  • Names To Know: QB Reese (Junior), Cayden Jones (Junior), Luke Metz (Sophomore), Duke Johnson II (Sophomore), Abduall Sanders Jr. (Sophomore), Xavier Griffin (Freshman), Zay Hall (Freshman)
  • Prediction: QB Reese

Virginia Tech transfer Caleb Woodson will start at one of the two inside linebacker spots in Week 1, with a number of players competing for the second during fall camp. The pre-fall camp prediction to eventually win the job though is QB Reese, a junior who is a likely breakout candidate for the Crimson Tide defense this season.

Kicker

Nov 15, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide kicker Conor Talty (31) attempts a field goal during the first half against the Oklahoma Sooners at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Leong-Imagn Images

  • Names To Know: Conor Talty (Senior), Lorcan Quinn (Sophomore)
  • Prediction: Conor Talty

Conor Talty is the Crimson Tide's returning starter at kicker this season, and is the pick to keep that starting spot as we enter the 2026 season. Marshall transfer Lorcan Quinn is certain to challenge Talty for the starting spot, and is a name to watch for should the senior potentially struggle early in the season.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.

This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Predicting who wins Alabama's top position battles entering fall camp

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos