Keelon Russell, Ryan Coleman-Williams Box Score Stats, Highlights, Draft Stock from Alabama-ECU

Alabama delivered an emphatic statement in its first game of the 2026 season.

The Crimson Tide cruised past East Carolina 48-10 on Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa.

Bama was a 27.5-point favorite coming in and had the spread covered by halftime, building a 38-7 lead. The final score could've been much worse if coach Kalen DeBoer had decided to keep his foot on the gas in the second half.

Tide quarterback Keelon Russell lit up the Pirates' defense through the air and was the game's leading rusher.

Comp./Att.	Yards	TD	INT	Carries	Yards	Rush TD
17/29	249	0	0	13	86	0

The sophomore signal-caller isn't eligible for the NFL draft until 2028, but you can bet he's on the radar of pro evaluators.

The reviews were more mixed for wide receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams.

Rec.	Yards	Avg.	TD
5	130	26.0	0

The junior provided a big highlight with a 58-yard grab in the second quarter.

However, fans were fixated more on the passes Coleman-Williams didn't catch. He had a bad drop on a wide-open throw midway through the first quarter and then couldn't haul in what would've been a touchdown on the first play of the second quarter.

Coleman-Williams changed his number and stopped wearing gloves in an effort to turn the page from a disappointing 2025 season. Instead, Saturday offered more of the same.

His production against ECU speaks for itself. The 6'0" pass-catcher has all of the tools necessary to be the best in college football at his position. That makes his inconsistency more frustrating.

Coleman-Williams needs to be better when far tougher tests are on the schedule.

Alabama will pivot to conference play in its next game. The Crimson Tide head to Lexington to play Kentucky on Sept. 12, with kickoff scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET.

The Wildcats are likely to be a work in progress under first-year coach Will Stein, especially this early into the season. Bama fans will be expecting another straightforward victory.