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Keelon Russell comes to Tuscaloosa as one of the highest-rated recruits in Alabama football history.

There are few prospects who have joined the Alabama Crimson Tide football program over the last decade-plus with a greater level of hype surrounding their potential in Tuscaloosa than Keelon Russell.

The highest-rated recruit in program history, Russell comes to Alabama as a truly elite quarterback prospect in the 2025 recruiting class who is already known on a national level prior to taking a snap in college.

As to why, that is because Russell was one of high school football's top overall players a year ago, a season which also allowed the now Alabama freshman to climb the national recruiting rankings quickly.

A player whose collegiate debut is as anticipated as any across the Crimson Tide, here is everything you need to know about Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell entering the 2025 season.

Keelon Russell player information

Position: Quarterback
Jersey Number: No. 12
Height: 6'3
Weight: 194
Class: Freshman
Hometown: Duncanville, Texas
High School: Duncanville

Keelon Russell career stats

Russell has yet to appear in a college football game. This will be the first season for Russell at the collegiate level.

Aug. 19, 2025, Tuscaloosa, AL; Quarterback Keelon Russell takes a snap during practice for the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Keelon Russell 2024 stats

Russell truly skyrocketed into stardom a year ago as a senior at Texas' Duncanville High School, receiving numerous honors as a result of his stellar 2024 season. Across 14 games played, Russell completed 69.4% of passes for 4,177 yards and a 55:4 TD:INT ratio, while also rushing for 321 yards and three touchdowns on 33 attempts.

Keelon Russell recruiting ranking

According to the 247Sports Composite rankings, Russell was considered as the nation's No. 2 overall prospect in the 2025 recruiting class, as well as the No. 2 quarterback nationally. A five-star prospect who flipped to Alabama from SMU in June 2024, Russell was also considered the No. 1 player in the state of Texas where he attended Duncanville High School.

July 30, 2025; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Quarterback Keelon Russell throws during the first practice session of the preseason for the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Keelon Russell 2025 season outlook

Russell will not begin his true freshman season at Alabama as the Crimson Tide's starting quarterback, as that role is currently held by Ty Simpson.

However, that does not mean that Russell will not play during the 2025 season, as the former five-star is certainly in a competition alongside Austin Mack for the primary backup entering the fall. Should he not win that competition as well, Alabama traditionally has allowed three quarterbacks to see action annually, meaning that Russell will get the chance to showcase his impressive skillset at some point, likely sooner rather than later.

Overall, expect Russell to play in 2025 as a true freshman, and for the former top recruit to certainly impress when on the field, likely coming as a backup.

July 30, 2025; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Quarterback Keelon Russell drops back under the watch of offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb during the first practice session of the preseason for the Alabama Crimson Tide.