Latest news with #KeelonRussell
Yahoo
10-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
5-star freshman turning heads in Alabama football QB battle
The post 5-star freshman turning heads in Alabama football QB battle appeared first on ClutchPoints. In his second year as Alabama's head football coach, Kalen DeBoer has been tasked with adjusting to a team without former starting quarterback Jalen Milroe. While Ty Simpson has taken a strong lead over the offseason, the Crimson Tide have been thoroughly impressed with freshman Keelon Russell. Since Russell joined the team in the spring, Alabama has been impressed with his maturity level, according to On3 Sports. DeBoer and the Crimson Tide believe that the freshman's leadership and poise are wise beyond his years, making him capable of starting in Week 1 if needed. Russell is the consensus No. 2 dual-threat quarterback recruit of the class of 2025, behind only super prospect Bryce Underwood. As a native of Duncanville, Texas, Russell committed to Alabama over offers from Texas A&M, Houston, Florida, Oregon and others. Simpson and Russell are joined in Alabama's quarterback battle by redshirt freshman Austin Mack. None of the top three signal-callers has much meaningful experience, but they are all gushing with talent and potential. Ty Simpson leading Alabama football quarterback battle While Alabama has been impressed by Russell, Simpson is still ahead of the pack. The junior has been with the team for his entire collegiate career and is their only remaining quarterback who played for Nick Saban. Entering his second year at the helm, Kalen DeBoer rehired Ryan Grubb as his offensive coordinator. Grubb worked with DeBoer at Washington, but spent the 2024 season on Mike Macdonald's staff with the Seattle Seahawks. DeBoer subsequently used Nick Sheridan as his offensive coordinator, but brought Grubb back into the role in 2025. Sheridan will remain on staff as the co-offensive coordinator. While neither Simpson, Russell nor Mack will immediately match Milroe's success as a dual-threat quarterback, they could have a better overall statistical season. DeBoer and Grubb had a lot of success running a fast-paced, pass-heavy offense with Michael Penix Jr. at Washington, and look to replicate that game plan in 2025. Each of their quarterbacks was recruited to Tuscaloosa as a dual-threat, but Simpson seems to have the best arm thus far. Should Simpson walk out in Week 1, he will be immediately tested against Florida State's improved defense. Alabama's early-season schedule does not get any lighter in the following month, with matchups against Georgia, Wisconsin and Vanderbilt all within the first five weeks. Related: Texas Tech lands No. 1 player for 2027 class Related: Tony Carter, Central State add more NFL experience to coaching staff
Miami Herald
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
What Did Kalen DeBoer Say About the Alabama Quarterback Battle?
Kalen DeBoer didn't offer a definitive answer, but he did shed some light on the competition that's drawing national attention. Speaking Wednesday at SEC Media Days in Atlanta, the second-year Alabama head coach addressed the Crimson Tide's ongoing quarterback battle, offering early impressions of returning veteran Ty Simpson, as well as young talents Keelon Russell and Austin Mack. "They have the tools," DeBoer said. "Ty throws a catchable ball. He's smart. He's been in college football now, going into year four. ... He's really owned things I think on another level." Simpson, a redshirt junior, is considered the frontrunner entering fall camp after Jalen Milroe's departure to the NFL. He's one of the few quarterbacks on the roster with in-game SEC experience and has taken first-team reps throughout the spring and early summer. But DeBoer also made it clear that competition remains open. On true freshman Keelon Russell, he said, "I'm confident he's going to make big jumps as well." Russell, a late flip from SMU, arrived in Tuscaloosa with a strong five-star reputation and is already turning some heads with his development. Another name to watch is redshirt sophomore Austin Mack, who transferred from Washington and followed DeBoer to Alabama. DeBoer praised Mack's leadership qualities, noting that he brings "a presence" to the room. DeBoer didn't tip his hand, but his remarks suggest the Tide will give each option a real shot before naming a starter. Related: Alabama Football Preview 2025: Crimson Tide Season Prediction, Win Total Projection, Top Players © 2025 The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Keelon Russell Credits 7-Time Super Bowl-Winning QB as Inspiration
Keelon Russell Credits 7-Time Super Bowl-Winning QB as Inspiration originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Alabama Crimson Tide football program knows a thing or two about winning. Since hiring Nick Saban as their head coach in 2007, Alabama boasts a remarkable 215-33 record, with 24 bowl appearances and an even more impressive six national championships. Advertisement In comparison, the only team in modern sports that comes close to Alabama's run of dominance is the New England Patriots of the past two and a half decades. In that span, the AFC East club has secured six Super Bowls wins. Notably, their quarterback, Tom Brady, left New England and went on to collect a seventh Super Bowl victory with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Alabama quarterback Keelon Russel (12).© Gary Cosby-Imagn Images Naturally, it makes all the sense in the world that five-star freshman and Alabama passer Keelon Russell has taken a liking to Brady as he gets ready to begin his college career. "A coach told me Tom would study film all night and sleep in the film room. That's one of the things that I take away from him," said Russell during an interview with Men's Health Magazine. Advertisement Russell is on the cover of the next Men's Health Magazine edition, with the catalog pushing a campaign towards "Gen Z," according to Charlie Potter of On3. Russell also pointed at Brady's unique NFL journey as motivation. A sixth-round pick in 2000, Brady stepped in for the Patriots after an injury to starting quarterback Drew Bledsoe. Brady would lead the Pats to an 11-3 regular season record before embarking on an undefeated postseason and his first Super Bowl victory. Brady never looked back, winning five more championships with New England before snagging a seventh ring with the Bucs in 2020. As for Russell, he will join Alabama this fall as one of their highest recruits in program history. He will likely serve as a backup to fellow passer Ty Simpson in year one, but head coach Kalen DeBoer could look to play Russell in certain packages. Related: Star SEC QB Praises Alabama Following Controversial Thomas Castellanos' Comments This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 26, 2025, where it first appeared.
Fox News
06-06-2025
- Sport
- Fox News
Twin sister of Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell dead at 18, police say
Kierston Russell, the twin sister of University of Alabama freshman quarterback Keelon Russell, has died just days after the siblings graduated from high school, police confirmed in a statement on Thursday. She was 18. The Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office confirmed Kierston's passing in a statement, adding that the investigation into her death is "ongoing." "There has been considerable media attention concerning a death investigation that occurred (in Tuscaloosa) on June 4, 2025," Capt. Jack Kennedy of the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office Violent Crimes Unit said in a statement obtained by Tuscaloosa News. "After speaking with the family, and in an attempt to quell media inquiries, they have given permission to confirm the death of Kierston Russell... The investigation is ongoing pursuant to the procedures mentioned above, and at this time appears to be non-criminal in nature. Therefore, at this time no other information will be released." Kierston played basketball at Duncanville High School in Texas. According to ESPN, she was due to join her brother at Alabama in August. The twins graduated last month. Keelon, a five-star recruit who enrolled early and attended Alabama's spring training, shared photos of the two together and shared a prayer to his Instagram Stories on Thursday. "Dear god, Thank You that every good and pleasant gift is from above. You are the source of every blessing in my life-my health, my work, my relationships, and the strength to face each day. Even my ability to work and create comes from You. I acknowledge that all I have is a gift from Your generous hand," he post read. "As James 1:17 says, 'Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.' You are faithful, and I am grateful." Kierston's basketball team also shared a statement on X following the news of her death. "With shattered hearts, we mourn the loss of our sister & teammate, Kierston Russell. A fierce competitor with a heart of gold – her light, love & legacy will live on. We love you, KRuss. Always." Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Police confirm death of Alabama QB's twin sister Kierston Russell
Kierston Russell, the twin sister of University of Alabama football quarterback Keelon Russell, has died, the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office confirmed June 5. She was 18 years old. "There has been considerable media attention concerning a death investigation that occurred (in Tuscaloosa) on June 4, 2025," Capt. Jack Kennedy of the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office Violent Crimes Unit wrote in a statement. Advertisement "After speaking with the family, and in an attempt to quell media inquiries, they have given permission to confirm the death of Kierston Russell... The investigation is ongoing pursuant to the procedures mentioned above, and at this time appears to be non-criminal in nature. Therefore, at this time no other information will be released." Keelon Russell has posted a string of social media messages on his Instagram account, including photos of him and Kierston while responding to messages, such as "stay strong for mom my thoughts and prayers are with y'all' with emojis of hands into heart shapes. Kierston Russell played basketball at Texas' Duncanville High School, which finished its season in the regional finals. Keelon Russell, who enrolled at Alabama in January, was a five-star quarterback at Duncanville High School. This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Tuscaloosa police confirm death of Kierston Russell, twin sister of Alabama football QB
