Alabama turns dual-threat QB Russell from SMU

Alabama’s future at the quarterback position became clearer Tuesday when dual-threat Keelon Russell, ESPN’s No. 81 recruit in the 2025 class and the No. 15 possibility from Texas, turned from SMU and announced his commitment to the Crimson Tide.Russell’s dedication marks Alabama’s first pledge from a high school quarterback under Kalen DeBoer. Russell, the four-star hire out of Duncanville, Texas, was previously devoted to SMU.Russell’s flip follows a 2024 cycle in which the Crimson Tide

stopped working to include a passer following luxury quarterback Julian Sayin’s flip to Ohio State, and Russell is now the third-highest ranked member of Alabama’s 2025 class, per ESPN rankings.Russell at first devoted to SMU on Sept. 21, 2023. The 6-foot-3, 185-pound prospect informed ESPN that Alabama initially made contact in late January soon after DeBoer and his personnel arrived in Tuscaloosa. In a recruitment led by offending coordinator and quarterbacks coach Nick Sheridan, Russell stated the Crimson Tide presented him with a clear plan and maintained constant contact through the spring before officially using ESPN’s top-ranked dual-threat quarterback in April.” They laid out the spot for me on the depth chart– it’s something a quarterback dreams of,”Russell told ESPN. “I felt like if I took the function that I might do some fantastic things at high levels.”I’ve been in touch with them nearly every day since they started hiring me. If not every day, then every week. They’ve been on me; truly attempting to get me there.

“Since the close of spring camp, Alabama’s current quarterback depth consists of returning starter Jalen Milroe, sophomore Ty Simpson and redshirt freshmen Dylan Lonergan and Austin Mack.The Crimson

Tide do not have actually a quarterback committed in the class of 2026. Russell indicated the relationships he developed with the Crimson Tide’s first-year training personnel and Michael Penix

Jr.’s advancement under DeBoer at Washington as aspects that assisted flip his commitment to Alabama. Above all, however, it was an open area and the guarantee of a future opportunity under center in Tuscaloosa that drew Russell from the SMU promise he made nearly 21 months ago.”I think I understood that [Alabama] might do some insane things for me, “he said.” I’m going to get there and ball out for sure.”