As an Alabama football wide receiver, Derek Meadows is always "trying to help" quarterback Keelon Russell out.
In Alabama's Week 1 win against East Carolina, Russell consistently turned to the scramble drill, trying to run receivers open when pressure came. To Meadows, that's the sign of a "tremendous QB," someone who "can do a lot of things others can't.
"He's one-of-a-kind," Meadows said. "You haven't seen nothing yet."
To Alabama defensive lineman Terrance Green, a player like Russell is a significant resource. It gives the Crimson Tide defense a look that not many offenses can provide.
"It really allows us to work on rushing the passer with our eyes, making sure we're working on our rush lanes in the right spot because if not, a quarterback like that is going to hurt you with his feet just rushing wide and not really paying attention," Green said. "It's been great for us, being able to work on closing the pocket on the quarterback like that."
In his first start, Russell completed 18 of 30 pass attempts for 256 yards, adding 86 rushing yards and a score. While Green sees Russell as a tool for the defense, make no mistake. Green knows what Russell is for opposing defenses he's set to face each week.
"He's dynamite in a bottle," Green said.
Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cgay@gannett.com or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter or Instagram @colingaytnews.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: How Keelon Russell helps out Alabama football defense game plan