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ESPN analyst names Alabama QB signee Keelon Russell as best ‘fit’ in 2025 class
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ESPN published a new story this week on the end of the 2025 recruiting cycle and it included some analysis on Alabama 5-star signee Keelon Russell.
ESPN college football analyst Tom Luginbill believes Russell will be a smashing success at Alabama. Luginbill listed Russell and the Crimson Tide as one of his “favorite fits” of the 2025 recruiting cycle. Here’s his analysis on Russell’s fit at Alabama:
He’s the ideal QB to get the ball out quickly and accurately, (and) push it downfield in Kalen DeBoer’s offense. He has also shown touch when needed in short-to-intermediate throws. He can extend plays with his legs, attack defenses as a designed runner and is an absolute winner and the perfect QB to bring Bama back to the top.
The 6-foot-3, 175-pounder from Duncanville, Texas, is rated in the 247Sports composite rankings as the No. 1 overall player in the 2025 recruiting class. That’s some big expectations for Russell to fill, especially at a program like Alabama where the expectations are so high every season.
The Crimson Tide will essentially have an open quarterback competition in 2025 that will begin this spring.
Former 5-star recruit Ty Simpson, who has just 50 career pass attempts in 3 seasons at Alabama, is viewed by some as the favorite to win the starting job. But Russell, along with Washington transfer Austin Mack, will also be competing for the job.
And Luginbill believes Russell has a great chance to be the guy going forward in Tuscaloosa.
Cory Nightingale, a former sportswriter and sports editor at the Miami Herald and Palm Beach Post, is a South Florida-based freelance writer who covers Alabama for SaturdayDownSouth.com.
