📝 Keelon Russell Named Best Recruit in Alabama Football History - Tide 100.9

[Bama News]

Keelon Russell Named Best Recruit in Alabama Football History

The expectations just got higher for Keelon Russell, being graded as the highest recruit in Alabama Football History according to 247 Sports.

tide1009.com

The pressure continues to build for the Alabama Crimson Tide for the 2025 season, specifically true freshman quarterback Keelon Russell.

The various recruiting services have released the final recruiting rankings, and 247 Sports is one that expects Russell to excel during his time at Alabama. Russell is ranked as the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2025 recruiting class, usurping Michigan quarterback signee Bryce Underwood. Russell has been graded as a 0.9998 recruit according to 247 Sports.



He is the first Alabama football player since Andre Smith in 2006 to finish No. 1 on 247 Sports recruiting service.

The rise did not stop there for the 6-foot-3, 175-pound quarterback from Duncanville High School. Russell's 0.9998 rating has earned him the top spot as the No. 1 recruit in Alabama football history.



Bryce Young, who finished as a prospect graded at 0.9994 in the 2020 recruiting class, previously held the top spot. Five years later, Russell takes it.

The 6-foot-3, 175-pound quarterback from Duncanville, Texas, has accomplished many things in his high school career. In the season opener of 2022, Russell took over for upperclassman Jameir Willis and led Duncanville to a 15-0 record and a 6A D-1 state championship. He was 170 of 254 passing for 2,377 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions. He also ran for 203 yards and three touchdowns.

In 2023, Russell Led Duncanville to a 14-1 record and its second-straight Texas 6A D-1 state title. He was 189 for 262 passes for 3,483 yards with 38 TDs and only three interceptions. Also ran for 361 yards and six touchdowns while averaging 5.82 yards per carry.

Will Keelon Rusell live up to the hype?

 

[64Tide]

Bryce Young 2.0?

 

[BamaFan334]

If he can live up to Bryce and his work at Alabama we are in amazing hands. Lofty expectations, so not holding my breath, but extremely excited for the youngster.

 

[50+yeartidefan]

One year behind Ty. And its all his next 2.

 

[64Tide]

One year behind Ty. And its all his next 2.

Then is it Seaborn or Simpson ll?

 

[rammerjammer]

That's all well and good, but I want to see some O-line recruits like Smitty. Bryce was amazing because he could run for his life and still manage to keep his eyes down field. It was great prep work for him going to the Panthers. I want a line that can protect him and not break down 2 out of every 3 downs.

IMO we have not had a dominant O line since Stoutland left in 2012. While the knock on Stoutland was not being able to evaluate talent like Pendry and keep the cupboard full, Cristobal did ok after Stoutland, but that was when we started seeing less dominant O-lines and decline of those dominant mauling lines of the early Saban Tenure.

I'll be honest, I only watched the play off game and the Washington/ Oregon St game during DeBoer's last year at Washington. Penix could spin it, but his line was protecting him well. Also that year, Washington won the Joe Moore award for the best O-line in Div 1.

 

[TerryP]

Then is it Seaborn or Simpson ll?

In an ideal world, you have a new QB coming in every class. Personally, I like having four on scholarship with a PWO in the room as well.

 

[TerryP]

IMO we have not had a dominant O line since Stoutland left in 2012. While the knock on Stoutland was not being able to evaluate talent like Pendry and keep the cupboard full, Cristobal did ok after Stoutland, but that was when we started seeing less dominant O-lines and decline of those dominant mauling lines of the early Saban Tenure.

...just so happened that coincided with guys like Locks, Kiffin, Et al coming into the program. Coincidentally, we're seeing another change in the type of athlete on the offensive line now with the transition to DeBoer's offense.

 

[Crtuneman]

Here's my problem with the Bryce comparison. Bryce was incredible. He was everything Bama could have hoped for. However, he played behind a sub-par offensive line and he had the misfortune to be there under BoB, one of the worst offensive coordinators in Bama history. Now we have Nick Sheridan who has not impressed at all. I don't want a repeat of the two years of Bryce because Bama won an SEC title but lost to Ga for the natty. And in his second year Bama lost to UCheat for the first time in 15 years. I don't look at 21 and 22 as successful years.

 

[50+yeartidefan]

Here's my problem with the Bryce comparison. Bryce was incredible. He was everything Bama could have hoped for. However, he played behind a sub-par offensive line and he had the misfortune to be there under BoB, one of the worst offensive coordinators in Bama history. Now we have Nick Sheridan who has not impressed at all. I don't want a repeat of the two years of Bryce because Bama won an SEC title but lost to Ga for the natty. And in his second year Bama lost to UCheat for the first time in 15 years. I don't look at 21 and 22 as successful years.

Cant blame loss to TN on Bryce though... 16 penalties...missed fg at end. ...stupid D in last seconds...questionable officiating... maybe worse bama game.....ever...well...after last year....maybe not ever... but you get my point...

Yes..bad OCing...bad DCing....bad oline... but such great talent....

Hard to compare with BY....have to earn that

 

[24and7]

I hope they didn’t jinx him…I say he is going to have to prove that over time..

 

[bamafan4ever]

I hope they didn’t jinx him…I say he is going to have to prove that over time..

Oh, jinx huh? Are you 8 years old? He earned the ranking over time and during his high school career. Not everything translates to play at the college level but it often does.

 

[Crimson&WhiteGecko]

If he can live up to Bryce and his work at Alabama we are in amazing hands. Lofty expectations, so not holding my breath, but extremely excited for the youngster.

The real question is if the lunatic fringe let him sit a year like they did BY. . . . .

 

[TideatMileHigh]

Here's my problem with the Bryce comparison. Bryce was incredible. He was everything Bama could have hoped for. However, he played behind a sub-par offensive line and he had the misfortune to be there under BoB, one of the worst offensive coordinators in Bama history. Now we have Nick Sheridan who has not impressed at all. I don't want a repeat of the two years of Bryce because Bama won an SEC title but lost to Ga for the natty. And in his second year Bama lost to UCheat for the first time in 15 years. I don't look at 21 and 22 as successful years.

If BOB is one of the worst OCs in Bama history, I'm taking you think Dave Radar belongs in the lowest pit of hell?

 

[50+yeartidefan]

If BOB is one of the worst OCs in Bama history, I'm taking you think Dave Radar belongs in the lowest pit of hell?

I think. Radar. Is leader of pack in badddd OCs. But. He was short talent also.

 

[24and7]

I think. Radar. Is leader of pack in badddd OCs. But. He was short talent also.

HE HAD A LOUSY O LINE AND O LINE COACH…

 

[TerryP]

I think. Radar. Is leader of pack in badddd OCs. But. He was short talent also.

Why throw on the onus on Dave when it was Shula?

 

[BamaFan334]

The real question is if the lunatic fringe let him sit a year like they did BY. . . . .

Some on here and around already gonna cancel him because he didn't start quarterback his senior year of high school at Alabama over Milroe.

 

[colbyjacks]

Oh, jinx huh? Are you 8 years old? He earned the ranking over time and during his high school career. Not everything translates to play at the college level but it often does.

Triggered over the word jinx, what are you 7 years old. Hahah c’mon man. I believe he was just saying we hope he pans out to be that good. Putting a label on him as the “highest rated Bama recruit ever” is placing him on the top of a pedestal. We have seen how bestowing these things on high school kids turn out sometimes. Let’s hope that his college career matches it.

 

[24and7]

Oh, jinx huh? Are you 8 years old? He earned the ranking over time and during his high school career. Not everything translates to play at the college level but it often does.

I remember Prothro…That was one of the best players I’ve seen…But suddenly something bad happened and took him away… I certainly hope he is the best… I hope he completely meets expectation and remains healthy…