Alabama football officially secured one of the top quarterbacks in the country for the 2025 recruiting class Wednesday.
Keelon Russell is officially joining the Crimson Tide. He’s the No. 2 overall prospect in the class, per the 247Sports Composite.
That makes him the signature recruit for first-year coach Kalen DeBoer.
DeBoer had the chance to speak publicly for the first time Wednesday about Russell, whom Alabama originally flipped from SMU
“It’s really cool when you think about the recruiting process with him,” DeBoer said. “I continue to think of it as, there’s eyes that we have and feelings that we have when you watch the film that are one thing and jump out at you. But I think there are other details we saw on the film that when we saw him in person were verified.”
DeBoer said the coaching staff went out in the spring to see Russell.
“It’s like, wow, this guy is what we think,” DeBoer said. “And these little nuances we think are special definitely are.”
DeBoer pointed out that as the summer went along, everyone else started to see what Alabama saw as well. Then Russell had a fall that “was on another level.”
“Then there’s the leadership piece,” DeBoer said. “And the personality. There’s a swagger about him. There’s a confidence about him.”
DeBoer said Russell also played a “major part” in bringing in and keeping this recruiting class together for Alabama.
“Which is what you want out of any leader,” DeBoer said. “Especially these key guys. But especially your quarterback.”
That leadership is key, but DeBoer said he’s also excited about what Russell brings on the field.
“He’s got the arm talent, is accurate, can throw different arm slots,” DeBoer said. “Then also the ability as an athlete to make plays with his feet too.”
