Alabama makes a commitment Keelon Russell had an outstanding showing at the country’s finest quarterback showcase, earning him the MVP award for the Elite 11 Finals. After three days of intense play, the Duncanville, Texas, talent emerged victorious from the 20-man field in the Elite 11 Finals, excelling in both workouts and 7-on-7 competition. After switching his pledge from SMU to Alabama last month, one of the cycle’s best signal-callers, the Crimson Tide might now center the remainder of its 2025 recruiting class around him.
In the March update, Russell, a four-star recruit, shot up the rankings this spring, moving from outside the Top 247 to the No. 63 overall slot in the class. His stock is still rising; he was ranked No. 7 quarterback for the 2025 cycle and No. 39 overall prospect going into the Elite 11 Finals.
Russell told Tom Loy of 247Sports, “It’s amazing,” following his MVP victory. “It’s an amazing sensation. It feels amazing to just come out here and compete all week, to get the job done. This is but a small portion of my path to success. There will be a lot more. My next goal is to win the Heisman Trophy.”
Russell started all two years at Duncanville and guided his team to a 29-1 overall record, which included back-to-back Texas 6A Division I state titles. In the first game of the 2022 season, he assumed the starting quarterback position for the squad as a sophomore and dominated the position, amassing over 2,500 total offensive yards in that season and almost 4,000 yards in the following one.
“It gives me more confidence,” Russell remarked. “Blast off. I feel like I can do anything just by coming here and competing against the best guys in the nation. I’m eager to see what I have in store for the future.”
Russell turned down a pledge from SMU, making him the talk of Alabama’s recruiting class. He continues to be the top-rated prospect in the Crimson Tide’s inaugural recruiting class under head coach Kalen DeBoer, surpassing seven other players placed in the Top247, such as defensive tackle Antonio Coleman, safety Derick Smith, and linebacker Darrell Johnson.
Russell claims that a run for a third consecutive state championship is what’s ahead for him. He will sign with Alabama before the 2025 campaign begins, and since starting quarterback Jalen Milroe is expected to either leave for the NFL Draft at the conclusion of the current campaign or extend his eligibility until 2025, he may have to fight for playing time early in his career.
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