Saturday's 73-0 demolition of UL Monroe brought something Alabama fans have been waiting for: the debut of freshman phenom Keelon Russell, the No. 2 overall player in the 2025 recruiting class.
Russell got into the game in the fourth quarter. It took him no time to show why he was such a coveted prospect.
Russell led Alabama for three drives, all of which resulted in touchdowns. He completed 4-of-6 passes for 65 yards and two touchdowns.
His first touchdown was an 18-yard strike to Cole Adams on a play that looks even more impressive from another angle. Russell feels pressured, starts to escape forward from the pocket early, a mistake young quarterbacks consistently make instinctually instead of trusting what they've been taught. But Russell catches himself, steps back into the pocket, and delivers a rope to a wide-open Adams:
True freshman QB Keelon Russell’s first TD pass at Alabama goes to Cole Adams. pic.twitter.com/pCZLo2e0ev
— Conrad (@conradvoradio) September 7, 2025
That's special. Russell kept his eyes down the field the entire time instead of tucking and running like almost every young quarterback would have done in that situation. That's a processing ability and a maturity well beyond his young age. The arm talent is obvious, but if he's developing the mental side of the game this quickly? Watch out.
Hard not to see a former Alabama great in Keelon Russell
If you watch that play, and then watch the play where Russell throws an absolute seed to walk-on MJ Chirgwin for his second touchdown of the day, it's hard not to immediately think back to an Alabama great and No. 1 overall pick.
Russell looks a lot like a bigger version of Bryce Young. His creativity in the pocket, his arm talent, and his ability to process things and react quickly mirror what Young did during his time in Tuscaloosa.
Russell doesn't look completely comfortable just yet. Of course, he wouldn't. But you also probably wouldn't have been able to guess by watching him on Saturday that you were watching a QB in his first real game action in college, either.
Ty Simpson showed why he was QB1 against UL Monroe. But it's only a matter of time before Russell is the guy in Tuscaloosa. It would be better for everyone involved if that isn't until next season. But he's going to keep getting better, keep developing as the season goes on, ensuring that Simpson never gets too comfortable in his role.
Competition will continue to bring the best out of the QB room.