Ohio State Buckeyes defensive coordinator Matt Patricia may find Alabama Crimson Tide EDGE transfer Qua Russaw becoming one of his favorite players at his disposal during the 2026 college football season.
As Land-Grant Holy Land's Cole Van Wiechen notes, Russaw's versatility will allow Patricia the chance to get creative on third-down situations, potentially unlocking three-EDGE sets that opposing quarterbacks and play-callers struggle to predict.
"On obvious passing downs, Ohio State could deploy packages featuring Jackson, Atkinson or Grady, Eddrick Houston, and Russaw all on the field simultaneously, and that is where things become really interesting. Because, unlike many edge rushers, Russaw’s presence creates uncertainty before the snap," Van Wiechen wrote.
"He might rush. He might drop. He might loop inside. He might attack from a wide-nine alignment. Offenses cannot simply identify him and assume where he will be coming from. Those players tend to become coordinators’ favorites."
Ohio State DL coach Larry Johnson has commented on Russaw's strength and drive to play hard this spring. Johnson sounds confident that Russaw can set the edge and get to the backfield effectively because of his physical traits.
“He is very physically strong. He’s strong at the point of attack with his hands and body. It’s just amazing that a guy at 245 pounds can set the edge, and he brings great speed to the table…. I think the thing that jumps off the videotape is how hard he plays. And he really has the physical strength, and I think that’s the key to it," Johnson said.
With the physical and mental profile to succeed, Russaw may find himself caught up in a culture that could get more out of him than the one he's coming from. Tuscaloosa stopped being an elite spot for his position during his sophomore season, though.
Kalen DeBoer and Kane Wommack may have held Qua Russaw back
While Kane Wommack utilizes a similar 4-2-5 scheme to Patricia, utilizing "wolf" and "bandit" positions, there is a world of difference for a player's development between the Crimson Tide and Buckeyes.
It's all cultural. And it may have more to do with Kalen DeBoer's failure to inspire an accountable and violent attack. DeBoer is finesse over strength, and for the edge-rushing spot, especially coming from the Nick Saban era, that was not good for Russaw. Bringing a versatile and violent approach to the game will yield him much more success in Central Ohio.
If nothing else, Russaw will be surrounded by more talent this season than he's had since 2023, when he was teammates with Dallas Turner and Chris Braswell. Kenyatta Jackson Jr. is easily the best EDGE since that pair that Russaw will share a position group with.
History may look back at Russaw's 2024 and 2025 seasons as wasted opportunities to unearth a star. Karma may have 2026 right all of those wrongs, though. Russaw is in the best situation he's ever been in. Just ask DB Earl Little Jr. what the difference is between the two blue-bloods.
Add us as a preferred source on Google