​Who is Keelon Russell? Meet Alabama’s new QB1 replacing Ty Simpson originally appeared on The Sporting News.
Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Alabama will have a new face under center at quarterback this year, as Ty Simpson is now in the NFL with the Los Angeles Rams. To replace him, head coach Kalen DeBoer has turned to sophomore Keelon Russell. The sophomore competed with senior quarterback Austin Mack for the starting job, but will be the Tide’s Week 1 starter against East Carolina. Let’s take a look at what Russell brings to the Tide and see how he might do in his first season as Alabama’s starter.     MORE:Updated news on Lane Kiffin’s roster for Week 1 vs. ClemsonWho is Keelon Russell?Russell was a highly-touted recruit coming out of high school in Duncanville, Texas. Per the 247Sports Composite, he was rated as a five-star signal-caller and was the No. 2 overall quarterback from the class of 2025. He was also rated as the No. 1 overall player out of his home state of Texas, as well. In high school, he threw for 7,444 yards passing with 90 touchdowns and just seven total interceptions across two seasons tracked by MaxPreps. Per 247Sports, he also had a 70.8% completion percentage halfway through his senior season. He was effective as a runner as well, getting 625 rushing yards with seven touchdowns, averaging 7.2 yards per carry. Here’s an excerpt from 247Sports’ scouting report of Russell, via Andrew Ivins: “Can attack all three levels of the field with precision and get the ball out fast as he alters his release point and is quick to improvise. Blessed with both the speed and agility to turn scrambles into back-breaking gains, but is the type of signal caller that’s going to try and win with his arm as he slides away from pressure and slips out of sacks. Has continued to improve as a decision maker and has a good understanding of when it’s OK to roll the dice as he will take calculated shots and give his wide receivers an opportunity to make plays.”Russell just might surprise some people when he takes off and runs. In a recent interview with The Tuscaloosa News, his high school team’s running backs coach Jaylin Nelson was impressed with the quarterback’s speed: “How do you stop somebody who can legit run a 4.49?” Nelson said via the newspaper. “He’s 6-2. He can run very well and he can swing the ball just as good as anybody who’s in the collegiate level. He’s not scared to take a hit. So it’s like, I mean, how do you stop that?”Alabama has offered 4⭐️ QB Keelon Russell.The Duncanville, TX native is @On3sports’ #8 overall QB in the 2025 class.pic.twitter.com/ROPBiywnXk— Sidelines – Bama (@SSN_Alabama) April 24, 2024He won two state championships in high school, and also took home a pair of impressive awards as a senior, including Elite 11 Finals MVP and Gatorade National Player of the Year. As a backup playing behind Simpson last season, he did not see the fi