Alabama QB signee Keelon Russell had 1-word for being named Gatorade Player of the Year for Texas 

By Aman Sharma

Modified Dec 06, 2024 16:45 GMT

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Duncanville High School’s Keelon Russell, a five-star quarterback and Alabama signee, has etched his name into the annals of Texas high school football. Crowned as the Gatorade Texas Football Player of the Year on Friday, Russell became the first recipient of this award from Duncanville. After receiving the honor, Russell left a humble remark on X:

“Blessed.”

Beyond state recognition, Keelon Russell is also a finalist for the prestigious Gatorade National Football Player of the Year award. Sharing this honor with fellow standouts Alvin Henderson from Elba, Alabama, and Jackson Cantwell from Nixa, Missouri, Russell has the chance to join former winners such as Emmitt Smith (1986-87), Peyton Manning (1993-94) and Kyler Murray (2014-15).

Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 182 pounds, Russell is a dual-threat quarterback ranked as the second-best in the country by the 247Sports. During his senior year, he amassed over 3,600 passing yards across 12 games, delivering 52 touchdown passes. His versatility was also evident in his ground game, adding over 250 rushing yards and scoring two touchdowns.

Andrew Ivins of 247Sports likened Russell’s skillset to 2023 Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels in his scouting report:

"Elite playmaker for the quarterback position with no shortage of valuable game reps that knows how to feather the fine line between risk and reward. ... Can attack all three levels of the field with precision and get the ball out fast as he alters his release point and is quick to improvise."

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Keelon Russell solidifies his future with Alabama as a top quarterback prospect

Keelon Russell was initially committed to SMU and made headlines when he shifted his allegiance to Alabama in June. On Wednesday, Russell officially signed with the Crimson Tide under coach Kalen DeBoer, becoming Alabama's highest-rated quarterback recruit since Bryce Young in 2018.

Texas has a strong tradition of producing National Player of the Year honorees. The last two recipients were quarterbacks from Texas: D.J. Lagway (2023) and Jackson Arnold (2022). Before them, Kyler Murray earned the award in 2014, following Johnathan Gray (2011) and Garrett Gilbert (2008).

Keelon Russell is one of four five-star recruits in Alabama’s 2025 class, which also features cornerback Dijon Lee, offensive lineman Michael Carroll and offensive tackle Ty Haywood. Alabama is ranked as the No. 2 class in the country by 247Sports.