Another Alabama football quarterback has taken control of the Crimson Tide’s offensive huddle.
With 9:20 left in the third quarter, Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell entered the Crimson Tide’s game against Eastern Illinois Saturday, Nov. 22, holding a 35-0 lead.
Russell is the third quarterback to take snaps against the Panthers following Ty Simpson and Austin Mack.
Here’s three things you need to know about Russell.
Keelon Russell has appeared in one Alabama football game in 2025
Russell ran the Alabama offense in the fourth quarter of the Crimson Tide’s 73-0 win against Louisiana Monroe.
All three of Russell’s drives ended in Alabama touchdowns. Russell completed four of his six pass attempts for 65 yards and two touchdowns: an 18-yard pass to wide receiver Cole Adams and a 20-yard pass to wide receiver MJ Chirgwin. Russell also added one rushing yard on one carry.
Keelon Russell was Kalen DeBoer’s first Alabama five-star commit
Russell helped set the tone for a new recruiting era for Alabama football under head coach Kalen DeBoer.
DeBoer and the Crimson Tide flipped Russell from SMU, the first of three five-star players Alabama would land in June 2024 along with offensive lineman Michael Carroll and defensive back Dijon Lee Jr.
Russell was the No. 2 player in the 2025 class per 247Sports’ composite rankings. He is the highest-rated recruit in Alabama football history.
Keelon Russell is one of eight Texas natives on Alabama’s roster
Russell is one of a handful of native Texans on Alabama’s 2025 roster.
Russell, a Duncanville, Texas, native, is one of eight Alabama football players from Texas along with wide receiver Jalen Hale, running back Dre Washington, running back Jam Miller, running back Fredrick Moore, offensive lineman Casey Poe, offensive lineman Kam Dewberry and offensive lineman Jaeden Roberts.
Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cgay@gannett.com or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter.
