Jumbo Package: QB, RB notes from first fall scrimmage

Happy Friday, everyone. Alabama had their first of two fall scrimmages yesterday, and you get exactly 35 seconds of video.

Most folks seemed to enjoy the shiftiness of Trae’shawn Brown and that throw from Keelon Russell while rolling to his left.

Nick Kelly has some intel for you.

At one point during the back half of the scrimmage, an NFL scout in attendance told AL.com he thought Russell was better than Mack and it was “not even close.” Several observers mentioned Mack started slow then improved some toward the end, though.

Still, most sources with whom AL.com spoke leaned toward Russell as the player who had the better day. The only observer who didn’t lean toward Russell said there was no clear separation at quarterback. Still even that source said Russell had “the it factor.”

None of the observers said they thought Mack had the better day. One onlooker added that Mack looked “good” but Russell looked “great.”

Bonus quarterback note: Freshman Jett Thomalla got in the scrimmage late, and he drew some praise from a couple of sources.

That seemed to be something of a consensus among those in attendance, but the race is still close according to the only man whose opinion matters.

“As the scrimmage went on they both got better,” DeBoer said. “Both had their moments early where they could have executed better. They could use some help from some guys once in a while, they’re not going to be perfect all the time. Operationally, I just think, again, it’s them running the show, but everyone doing their part.

“So the slow start really wasn’t about one player, one position group, but both of them really , as the scrimmage went along, got in their rhythm. And so, the challenge to them now would just be starting faster every single time we have these game-like scrimmages and practices, coming out and setting the tone themselves.”

It seems likely that a decision will be made after the next scrimmage, but we’ll see.

AK Dear was reportedly having a good day, and DeBoer confirmed that. Unfortunately he also left with an injury.

“EJ did not scrimmage today,” DeBoer said. “He’ll be out for a few practices here. He won’t miss any games down the road.”

The news on Dear is less certain.

According to DeBoer, Dear was having an impressive scrimmage before suffering the injury. He had also scored a touchdown before leaving the field.

“AK did suffer an injury,” DeBoer said. “He actually was having a nice scrimmage, scored a touchdown. We’ll evaluate him and figure out what the severity of that.”

Crowell and Dear both being hurt is not ideal, to say the least. Rumblings are that it is an ankle, but we’ll have to wait on official word.

DeBoer seemed happy with the run game overall, though those in attendance said it was tough sledding against a defensive front that looked quite good.

“Thought the running backs were chewing up some yards there and got better as the scrimmage went along,” DeBoer said.

With two green quarterbacks in Austin Mack and Keelon Russell, neither of which have convinced the coaching staff they are the guy to take the first snaps of 2026 against East Carolina, Alabama needs a run game. It’s been at the center of the Crimson Tide‘s offensive rebuild, the reason behind hires like Adrian Klemm and Richard Owens. With the quarterback position taking the majority of the headlines, the run game is what could define the direction of the offense as a whole, whether its Daniel Hill or Kevin Riley, or the emergence of Dear and Crowell, if healthy.

Kalen continues to talk up Luke Metz.

DeBoer was asked after the first scrimmage about the inside linebackers, and in his answer, he decided to evaluate them not just on the scrimmage but also the week of practice.

“Luke Metz is a guy I’d make a note of,” DeBoer said. “The way he plays every snap as a young guy, he’s getting better and better, as you’d expect. Caleb (Woodson) has been consistent and brings energy. He’s got a lot of game experience. Other guys, again, Abduall Sanders has come along all week, takes a lot of snaps, is always in the right place, doing his job and brings energy as well.”

Last, Jayden Daniels’ “team” sent a cease and desist letter to LSU, telling them that they cannot use his likeness anymore because they dared let another player wear his jersey number. It should be noted that Jayden’s mother is his sole agent after firing his qualified representation.

“The Daniels family is deeply disappointed and feels profoundly disrespected by LSU’s decision to give Jayden’s number to another player,” the statement from Daniels’ spokesperson read. “Jayden and his family had every reason to believe that his number would remain a meaningful part of his LSU legacy and would be honored and protected in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to the university.”

Pickett wore No. 3 during his first season with the Tigers in 2025, when he was named a freshman All-American, but he was wearing No. 5 when the Tigers opened preseason practice last week. He led LSU with three interceptions to go with 37 tackles and one sack in 524 defensive snaps.

“Honestly, man, this right here makes us want to wear the number more,” Damien Pickett, DJ’s father, told The Advocate on Thursday. “LSU has not said anything to us about the number, about us being able to wear the number. Coach [Lane Kiffin] has been in full support of my son through this process.

“It’s not really pertaining to my son, but he’s been put in the middle of something that has nothing to do with him. My boy’s been wearing No. 5 his whole life.”

A public flap between Jayden’s momma and Pickett’s daddy is some youth travel ball nonsense. Hilarious.

That’s about it for today. Have a great weekend.

Roll Tide.