Tag: Keelon Russell

Alabama QB signee Keelon Russell named Maxwell National High School Player of the Year

Alabama five-star QB signee recognized as the best player in high school football.

Kalen DeBoer and the Alabama Crimson Tide coaching staff are still getting their footing on the SEC field, but they have figured it out on the recruiting trail. DeBoer earned his first marquee commit last Winter in phenom five-star WR Ryan Williams, who was sensational as a freshman this past season.

Five-star QB Keelon Russell out of Duncanville, TX, is the next big name up for the Tide. Russell was initially a four-star SMU commit, but after committing to Alabama and a remarkable senior season, he has catapulted up to being the No. 2 overall player in the 2025 recruiting class.ย As a senior, Russell completed 69.4% of his passes for 4,177 yards and 55 TDs to just 4 INTs in the highest level of Texas football.

Russell was recognized as the Gatorade National Player of the Year earlier in the week, but the accolades didn’t stop there, as he was also named the Maxwell National High School Player of the Year on Friday.

It seems more likely than not that Jalen Milroe will be headed to the NFL after the season, leaving the Tide with a loaded QB room of Russell, Ty Simpson and Austin Mack. However, your guess is as good as mine as to who will be QB1 when the Tide open up their 2025 season at Florida State.

Contact/Follow usย @RollTideWireย on Twitter, and like our page onย Facebookย to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.ย You can also follow Sam Murphy on Twitter @SamMurphy02.

Alabama signee Keelon Russell named Gatorade National Player of the Year

The Alabama signee receives yet another honor.

The accolades continued to roll in for Alabama Crimson Tide signee Keelon Russell on Wednesday morning, as the five-star quarterback was named the 2024 Gatorade National Player of the Year for high school football.

An official announcement was made on social media Wednesday morning, which included a video of former Alabama and current Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs presenting the award to Russell after a practice at Duncanville High School in Texas.

At Duncanville, Russell has led the Panthers to an undefeated record as one of the nation’s top high school teams, while also posting a truly phenomenal stat line.

Across 13 games, Russell is currently completing 69.6% of passes for a total of 3,874 passing yards with a 53:4 TD:INT ratio. Russell has also rushed for 255 yards and two touchdowns on 27 attempts over that span.

The five-star is the headline name in Alabama’s 2025 signing class, ranked as the nation’s No. 2 player according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.

Cowboys’ Trevon Diggs surprises local high school QB with national award

From @ToddBrock24f7: The former Alabama star presented Duncanville QB and Crimson Tide commit Keelon Russell with the Gatorade National Player of the Year Award.

A talented high school quarterback from the Dallas-Fort Worth area is in the midst of what could be a third straight championship run with an eye toward joining the Alabama Crimson Tide next fall.

So when he was chosen this week to receive one of the country’s top honors, it was only fitting to have Trevon Diggs deliver the news.

The Cowboys cornerback and Alabama alum showed up in Duncanville on Tuesday to surprise Keelon Russell with the trophy naming him the 2024-25 Gatorade National Football Player of the Year.

Leading the Duncanville Panthers to a 13-0 mark so far this year, Russell has put up 3,874 passing yards and a staggering 54 touchdowns, but the National Honor Society member also carries a 3.4 GPA and is a regular volunteer in the community with Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Now the 40th Gatorade Player of the Year, Russell’s name will be alongside legends like Pro Football Hall of Famers Peyton Manning and Emmitt Smith, who were also once honored with the prize. In all, six winners of the award have gone on to become first-round draft picks in the NFL.

Photo credit: Joe Greer/Gatorade

โ€œThe Gatorade Player of the Year Program has a 40-year history of recognizing young athletes on their journey to greatness,โ€ said Gatorade’s Anuj Bhasin. โ€œRussellโ€™s accomplishments have earned him a spot on the trophy alongside so many iconic athletes, and we canโ€™t wait to see the legacy he will leave behind.โ€

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He may be the No. 2-ranked recruit in the nation, but Russell and Duncanville still have unfinished business to attend to.

The undefeated Panthers are set to play in the 6A Division I state semifinals on Saturday. Listed by MaxPreps as the No. 3 high school team in the country and the top-ranked team in Texas, they’ll square off against 14-0 North Crowley (ranked 9th in the nation) in a legitimate clash of titans.

“This is a great opportunity,” Diggs told the Panthers team after their practice on Tuesday. “You worked hard, for sure. Putting your head down, working hard, you see where it got you. I just want you to keep that same mindset, especially going into college.”

Diggs had words of encouragement for Russell, too, hinting that one Sunday in the not-too-distant future, he may be trying to intercept some of the youngster’s passes on an NFL field.

“You’re a great player, that’s a great award,” Diggs told him. “You’re going to go far. I’m going to see you soon.”

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Alabama signee Keelon Russell named finalist for Gatorade Player of the Year

The Alabama signee has had a phenomenal senior season.

Shortly after officially signing with the Alabama Crimson Tide, quarterback signee Keelon Russell has been named a finalist for one of the nation’s top individual high school football honors, the Gatorade National Player of the Year.

Russell was one-of-three players to be named a finalist, which included an Auburn Tigers signee in running back Alvin Henderson out of Elba High School in Alabama, as well as the nation’s No. 1 overall 2026 prospect in offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell out of Nixa High School in Missouri.

The Alabama signee is currently in the midst of a truly stellar season at one of the nation’s top high school programs, Duncanville High School in Texas.

Leading the Panthers to an undefeated 12-0 record at the time of writing, Russell has completed a combined 71.5% of his passes for a total of 3,652 yards with a 52:2 TD:INT ratio across 12 games. Russell is also averaging over 300+ passing yards per game with a 150.5 QB rating, and has also rushed for 254 yards and two touchdowns on 25 attempts.

A five-star prospect, Russell is the headline name in Alabama’s 2025 signing class that ranks as the nation’s No. 2 overall prospect, as well as quarterback, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.

Russell was also named the Gatorade State Player of the Year in Texas as well.

5-star quarterback Keelon Russell officially signs with Alabama

Alabama has officially signed one of the nation’s top quarterbacks.

When it comes to names in the Alabama Crimson Tide’s 2025 class, there are likely none bigger than that of Keelon Russell, who has now officially signed with the program.

A five-star prospect, Russell is the highest-ranked recruit in Alabama’s 2025 class, and has been committed since June of 2024, which is when the highly-touted quarterback flipped to Alabama from SMU.

Alabama’s highest-ranked quarterback recruit since Bryce Young, as well as the third-highest ever, here are some things you need to know about Alabama’s newest signal caller:

Keelon Russell recruiting ranking

According to the 247Sports Composite rankings, Russell is the nation’s No. 2 overall prospect regardless of position, as well as the No. 2 quarterback in the 2025 class. Russell, a five-star prospect, is also considered the top player in the state of Texas where he attends Duncanville High School.

Where Keelon Russell fits on Alabama football depth chart

Assuming that Alabama starting quarterback Jalen Milroe is going to enter the NFL draft at seasons end, this is how Alabama’s 2025 quarterback depth chart will look at the moment:

  • Starter: Ty Simpson
  • Backup: Dylan Lonergan, Austin Mack, Keelon Russell

Will Keelon Russell play right away with Alabama football?

As mentioned above, Russell is likely low down on the depth chart when he steps foot on campus, but undoubtedly has the talent to win what could be an open quarterback competition for the Crimson Tide this offseason.

Keelon Russell high school stats

Russell is one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in all of high school football this season, playing for one of the nation’s top teams in Duncanville High School out of Texas. The Alabama signee has a phenomenal stat line as a senior that includes a 71.5 CMP% with 3,652 passing yards and a 52:2 TD:INT ratio across 12 games, while also having rushed for 254 yards and two scores on 25 attempts.

Alabama football recruiting class 2025

After the signing of Russell, Alabama’s 2025 recruiting class ranks No. 4 in the nation with 21 total commitments. A full breakdown of Alabama’s 2025 signing class can be found here.

When is Early Signing Day? When is Late Signing Day?

Early Signing Day takes place Wednesday, Dec. 4, with the overall Early Signing Period lasting through Friday, Dec. 6. The Late Signing Period begins Feb. 5, 2025.

Alabama quarterback commit finishes regular season with impressive stat line

The Alabama commit posted an impressive regular season stat line.

When it comes to the Alabama Crimson Tide’s overall 2025 recruiting class, there are arguably few names who stick out more than Keelon Russell.

A five-star prospect, Russell is the highest-rated of Alabama’s commitments in the cycle – which sits at 21 total – and is considered as the nation’s No. 8 overall player according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. Russell also ranks as the nation’s No. 3 overall quarterback, and was the winner of the prestigious Elite 11 quarterback competition back during the summer.

Along with those rankings, Russell also plays for one of the nation’s top prep teams at Duncanville High School, which is also where the five-star ranks as the No. 3 player in the state of Texas.

There, Russell is also in the midst of a truly special senior season where the five-star is making a case for MaxPreps National Player of the Year, recently capping what was a phenomenal regular season stretch.

Across nine games, a span in which the Panthers went undefeated at 9-0, the five-star led the Duncanville offense to an average of 44.3 points per game, while also completing a combined 70.4% of his passes for 2,827 yards and a 40:0 TD:INT ratio. Russell also had a combined 148.8 QB rating during the regular season, while also rushing for 194 yards and a score on 22 attempts.

With the Panthers set to begin the playoffs Friday night, the Alabama commit will now look to lead the Panthers to their third consecutive state title in the coming weeks.

Alabama commit named to National Player of the Year watch list

The five-star’s senior season is off to a phenomenal start.

After a phenomenal start to his high school senior season, Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback commit Keelon Russell has been named to the watch list for the 2024 MaxPreps National Player of the Year.

Russell was one of 10 players named to the list Thursday joining Bryce Underwood and Julian Lewis, two other top quarterbacks in the class, as well as Auburn running back commit Alvin Henderson.

Playing for one of the nation’s top teams, Duncanville High School in Texas, Russell has led the Panthers to a 4-0 record that includes a 28-24 victory over national power St. Francis Academy in Maryland. Russell has completed 75% of his passes for 1,437 yards and a 19:0 TD:INT ratio, while also rushing for 125 yards and a touchdown.

The highest-rated commitment in Alabama’s 2025 class, Russell has been committed to the Crimson Tide since June 2024. Russell also ranks as the nation’s No. 11 overall player on the 247Sports composite. The five-star prospect is considered the No. 3 quarterback in the class.

Russell’s senior season will resume next week on the road at Texas’ DeSoto High School.

Elite 11 names Alabama commit Keelon Russell QB of the month in September

Alabama commit Keelon Russell named QB of the month by Elite 11.

The Alabama Crimson Tide’s transition from Nick Saban to Kalen DeBoer has been about as seamless as anyone could have hoped. DeBoer and the Tide are out an impressive 4-0 start that included a road win against the Wisconsin Badgers and a home victory over the No. 1 ranked Georgia Bulldogs. However, it was never the on-field success people doubted about DeBoer, it was how would he adjust to life on the recruiting trail in the South.

With Saban retiring on Jan. 10, DeBoer did an outstanding job of stepping in and keeping the 2024 recruiting class intact for the most part. Granted some recruits like Julian Sayin decided not to stick with the program, but he was able to keep guys like Zabien Brown and Jaylen Mbakwe. WR Ryan Williams actually was one of those who de-committed following Saban’s retirement, but after meeting DeBoer and hearing his plan he decided to come to Tuscaloosa anyway. A decision I am sure he is thrilled he made.

Even through the transition, DeBoer and Alabama finished with the No. 2 recruiting class in the country. Now that he’s been in Tuscaloosa for almost a year, the success on the recruiting trail is adding up with the top class in 2025. One of the biggest victories in recruiting came when DeBoer flipped five-star QB Keelon Russell from SMU to ‘Bama.

Russell is the No. 13 player in the class and the No. 3 ranked QB out of Duncanville, TX. The Texas native won the Elite 11 camp this summer which is a competition among the best rising senior QBs in the country with some previous winners being CJ Stroud, Caleb Williams and Tua Tagovailoa.

So far, Russell’s senior campaign has been sensational as he is completing 75% of his passes, for 1,437 yards and 19 TD with no picks through four games. He’s also carried the ball 16 times for 125 yards and a score. As a result, Elite 11 has named the former winner their “Baller of the Month” for a sensational September.

With this being Milroe’s last year in Tuscaloosa, Russell, Ty Simpson and Austin Mack will all be contention for the Tide’s QB1 role next fall.

Contact/Follow usย @RollTideWireย on Twitter, and like our page onย Facebookย to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.ย You can also follow Sam Murphy on Twitter @SamMurphy02.

Duncanville head coach Reginald Samples isn’t focused on Texas football three-peat

Duncanville football isn’t focused on titles.

Reginald Samples is not focused on winning another 6A Division I state championship in Texas. That, the high school football head coach said, would be a distraction.

It has been consecutive state championships for Samples and his Duncanville (Duncanville, Texas) program (ranked seventh in the nation in the USA TODAY Sports preseason Super 25 football rankings). Last year’s run to a historic title has Duncanville being talked about as among the best programs in not only Texas, but the nation.

And for Samples, this is potentially dangerous talk. In an interview with Bally Sports, he said the focus can’t be on three-in-a-row.

“It would be historic,” Samples told Bally Sports.

“You look around the state of Texas, a great football state – there’s some great coaches, some great programs. When you start winning three championships, it starts putting you closer to the elite program…but it’s not something I want to think about. Because when you’re thinking about those type of things, you forget about what it takes to get there.”

Duncanville finished last season 14-1. They are led by quarterback Keelon Russell, an Alabama commit who is a five-star recruit and the tenth-ranked player in the nation according to 247Sports.

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Alabama QB commit Keelon Russell named Elite 11 MVP

2025 four-star quarterback and Alabama football commit Keelon Russell was named the Elite 11 MVP!

For the first time since 2016, Alabama Crimson Tide football has a new quarterback named as the Elite 11 MVP with class of 2025 four-star quarterback [autotag]Keelon Russell[/autotag] earning the honor.

The last Alabama player to win the prestigious award was former five-star quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

Russell was one of several high-profile quarterbacks that competed in the three-day event. The event includes individual drills, 7-on-7 competition, and instruction from quarterback experts. Overall, Russell was viewed as the best performer and was awarded the Elite 11 MVP.

Russell flipped his commitment from SMU to Alabama on June 4. Since then, Russell has confirmed that he is locked in with the Crimson Tide.

He has been active on the recruiting trail as well. The native of Duncanville, Texas is often seen reaching out to fellow prospects in the ’25 recruiting class on X to get them to commit to the Crimson Tide.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow the latest regarding the Alabama football program and its efforts on the recruiting trail.