TNR 8/24/26 | Alabama Names Keelon Russell QB1, Auburn’s DJ Durkin Anchor + LSU’s WILD Roster Move

The Alabama Crimson Tide have their starting quarterback — and it’s Keelon Russell. The former five-star recruit beat out senior Austin Mack during fall camp and will take over an Alabama offense that lost Ty Simpson to the NFL Draft. Russell arrived in Tuscaloosa as ESPN’s No. 2 overall prospect in the 2025 recruiting class and flashed his potential during Alabama’s A-Day game with 240 passing yards and four touchdowns. What should Alabama fans expect from Russell as QB1? What former Crimson Tide quarterback does his game remind us of? And how high is the ceiling for Kalen DeBoer’s Alabama offense with Russell behind center? We also dive into several huge stories around the SEC: 🏈 Auburn Football: Is defensive coordinator DJ Durkin the most stable piece of the Tigers’ program? Auburn’s offense has undergone a massive roster overhaul, while much of the defense stayed intact — and linebacker De’Marcus Riddick says Durkin was a major reason he returned. What does that continuity mean for Auburn under its new coaching staff? 🐯 LSU Football: College football’s eligibility chaos has produced one of the wildest roster stories we’ve ever seen. Former Ole Miss tight end Dae’Quan Wright, who spent NFL training camp with the Cleveland Browns, could potentially return to college and reunite with Lane Kiffin at LSU. Browns coach Todd Monken even revealed Kiffin tried calling him about the situation. Could an NFL player really go back to college football? 🍊 Tennessee Football: The Volunteers have also made their quarterback decision, naming five-star true freshman Faizon Brandon the starter over George MacIntyre. Brandon brings an incredible high school résumé to Knoxville, but is he ready to lead Tennessee immediately? We break down Keelon Russell becoming Alabama QB1, Auburn’s defensive stability under DJ Durkin, Lane Kiffin and LSU’s bizarre NFL-to-college possibility, and Tennessee turning to freshman Faizon Brandon. 👍 Like the video if you enjoy college football and SEC coverage. 🔔 Subscribe to The Next Round for daily Alabama Football, Auburn Football, LSU Football, Tennessee Football, SEC and College Football Playoff discussion, interviews, breaking news and analysis. #AlabamaFootball #KeelonRussell #RollTide #AuburnFootball #DJDurkin #LSUFootball #LaneKiffin #TennesseeFootball #FaizonBrandon #SEC #CollegeFootball #CFB #TheNextRound #secfootball #cfb #cfbnews #secnews SUBSCRIBE: @NextRoundLive - youtube.com/@nextroundlive @TNRClips - youtube.com/@TNRClips FOLLOW TNR ON SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/7zlofzLZht7dYxjNcBNpWN FOLLOW TNR ON APPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-next-round/id1797862560 WEBSITE: https://nextroundlive.com/ MOBILE APP: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-next-round/id1580807480 SHOP THE NEXT ROUND STORE: https://nextround.store/ Like TNR on Facebook: / nextroundlive Follow TNR on Twitter: / nextroundlive Follow TNR on Instagram: / nextroundlive Follow everyone from the show on Twitter: Jim Dunaway: / jimdunaway Ryan Brown: / ryanbrownlive Lance Taylor: / thelancetaylor Scott Forester: / scottforestertv Tyler Johns: /TylerJohnsTNR Brooks Carter: /BrooksACarter Sponsor the show: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices