Deion Sanders' Colorado reportedly targets five-star Alabama QB Keelon Russell amid Julian Lewis' rumors

By Maliha

Modified Oct 12, 2024 13:56 GMT

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Quarterback Keelon Russell is one of four five-stars in coach Kalen DeBoer's first-class Alabama 2025 recruiting cycle. He flipped from SMU to the Crimson Tide in June and seems to have made a hard commitment to the school.

However, On3's Steve Wiltfong reported that coach Deion Sanders and his staff are keen on bringing Russell into the Colorado Buffaloes' 2025 class.

"Coach Sanders and company want to sign an elite one from the high school ranks and (offensive coordinator Pat) Shurmur went out to see Alabama five-star commit Keelon Russell late last week at his school," Wiltfong wrote.

Alabama's 2025 class is the No. 1 in the Southeastern Conference, which also features five-star offensive tackle Ty Haywood, five-star cornerback Dijon Lee and five-star wide receiver Caleb Cunningham. Flipping Russell from such an elite class won't be a piece of cake.

"Russell will be a tough flip from the Crimson Tide but there has been dialogue and Colorado is trying to get him to campus as well," Wiltfong added.

Despite the hurdles, Sanders is renowned for his relentless recruiting tactics. Even during a recent open week, he returned to Texas to recharge while maintaining close communication with his coaching staff. This commitment to recruiting is evident in his efforts to bring Russell on campus, alongside long-term target Julian Lewis, who is still committed to USC.

Lewis has visited Boulder multiple times, and besides Russell, he is the only quarterback the Buffaloes are targeting for this cycle. The Lewis flipping discussion has been going on for months now. Colorado once gained momentum in his recruitment, but now it's kind of uncertain.

So Alabama is going to witness huge pressure from Sanders and his coaching staff to keep Keelon Russell locked in if Colorado's bait for Lewis doesn’t result in success.

What will Keelon Russell's potential flip mean to Colorado?

Colorado has emerged as a powerhouse in college football, largely due to quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who ranks in the top 10 nationally for both passing yards and touchdowns. With his NFL future looking bright, the Buffaloes will face the challenge of replacing a talent of his caliber.

Keelon Russell fits the shoes perfectly, as he has been one of the most productive high school quarterbacks in the nation. He completed 26 of 35 passes for 427 yards and six touchdowns in Duncanville's Friday's 42-20 win over DeSoto. With over 1,800 passing yards and 25 touchdowns this season, he has shown the ability to lead an offense effectively.

Colorado's 2025 recruiting class consists of eight committed players but lacks a quarterback and a five-star prospect. Securing Russell would not only fill the critical quarterback position but also elevate the class with a coveted five-star commitment.