Alabama now on top for SMU 4-star QB commit Keelon Russell

Since taking over in January, Kalen DeBoer and his Alabama staff have evaluated a number of quarterbacks. They’ve offered a handful of them.

But Duncanville (Texas) four-star passer and SMU commit Keelon Russell emerged from the spring as their top target.

Over the weekend, the Crimson Tide hosted Russell and his family in Tuscaloosa for an official visit. And that trip moved the needle in a massive way, his father Brian told On3’s Steve Wiltfong.

“The tradition, development, and mindset,” he said of what stood out to his son about Alabama. “He really has a great situation with the QB room. He really enjoyed the other recruits and their pitch for him to join Alabama. The stage and quality of competition is important.”

While DeBoer and quarterbacks coach Nick Sheridan evaluated the likes of Julian Lewis, Deuce Knight and others, they have put their full efforts into flipping Russell by making him their No. 1 target.

“Alabama has only reached out to Keelon and assures he is their guy,” Russell’s father added. “The brotherhood is major at Alabama. The NFL players still come back and hold the boys to a high standard. I feel the brotherhood and NFL players will not let Alabama fall.

Coming out of the visit, the Tide are “no doubt the leader” for his son, according to Brian.

Russell has already taken official visits to Ole Miss and SMU in the past six weeks, and still have trips to Florida (June 7) and Oregon (June 21) still on the docket.

The 6-foot-3, 182-pounder is the No. 57 overall prospect and No. 8 quarterback in the 2025 class, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He also ranks as the No. 11 prospect in the Lone Star State.

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