Kalen DeBoer’s biggest addition yet?

Alabama got a big-time pickup in the 2025 recruiting class on Tuesday afternoon with the highly-anticipated flip of quarterback Keelon Russell. The 4-star was previously committed to SMU before skyrocketing up the rankings and considering other options.

Now a top-40 player nationally and the no. 6 quarterback in the country per the 247Sports Composite, Russell will continue his development in Tuscaloosa. A recent on-campus visit made the Tide the clear favorite, and now Keelon Russell’s commitment is official. 

A product of Duncanville, Texas, Russell is a very good athlete and brings dual-threat abilities to the quarterback position. Bama has utilized several mobile QBs in recent years and Kalen DeBoer’s offensive system thrives with a passer who can extend plays. Russell should fit into this system well.

Barring any transfer exits, he will be joining then-redshirt junior Ty Simpson as well as redshirt sophomores Dylan Lonergan and Austin Mack in the Alabama quarterback room. This would be a very solid and versatile group with unique skill sets and varying degrees of potential. A common theme amongst the quartet would be the ability to keep plays alive with their legs. 

Simpson is expected to get his shot as the starter in 2025, while Keelon Russell will do battle with Lonergan and Mack for the rights to be the face of the team long-term. Russell was a very necessary addition given that Lonergan and Mack are two years ahead of him and Alabama did not bring in a 2024 quarterback.

Kalen DeBoer has answered questions about his recruiting capabilities pretty resoundingly thus far, and the addition of a highly-ranked quarterback prospect commands further respect. The future of Alabama Football is bright, and it all starts at the quarterback position.