The Alabama Crimson Tide, despite going through ups and downs, have certainly been a fascinating watch on offense this season, and the main reason is their sensational redshirt freshman quarterback.

Keelon Russell has undoubtedly gone through some growing pains, but he has also flashed potential of absolute superstardom, and this has not gone unnoticed. Along with some of the absolute best in the country, Russell was nominated to the midseason watch list for the Manning Award.

Midseason Watch List 💪@Pres1dential x @ManningAward pic.twitter.com/Oe1STP0C8g

— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) October 23, 2026

🏆 The #ManningAward, presented by the @Allstate #SugarBowl, has announced its Midseason Watch List Additions!

1️⃣5️⃣ of the nation's top quarterbacks have been added to the list for their standout performances during the 2026 season. pic.twitter.com/bT2esRepk8

— Manning Award (@ManningAward) October 23, 2026

The award is given out annually by the Allstate Sugar Bowl to the most outstanding quarterback in the nation, and Russell made the list along with guys like Kamario Taylor, Austin Simmons and Kenny Minchey.

Russell is going to have to have a wonderful finish to the year to actually have a chance of winning the award, but he has shown the kind of talent to be able to do just that.

If he can indeed put it all together and find a way to play his best ball down the stretch, he will not only have a shot at some individual honors, but Alabama could also have a shot at making a deep run in the College Football Playoff.