Keelon Russell and Alvin Henderson named as finalists for coveted HS award previously won by NFL legends Emmett Smith and Peyton Manning

By Aman Sharma

Modified Dec 06, 2024 17:52 GMT

Follow Us

Share

0 Discuss

High school football standouts Keelon Russell and Alvin Henderson are among the three finalists for the coveted Gatorade National Football Player of the Year award. This prestigious honor has a history of recognizing future NFL greats, including Emmitt Smith and Peyton Manning.

Keelon Russell, a five-star quarterback committed to Alabama, has had an extraordinary senior season at Duncanville High School in Texas. Ranked as the No. 2 prospect nationally in the 2025 class by 247Sports' composite rankings, Russell has demonstrated unmatched skill on the field.

He has thrown for an impressive 3,652 yards and recorded 52 touchdowns, forming a lethal partnership with Dakorien Moore, a fellow five-star player committed to Oregon.

Russell's ability to navigate the fine balance between risk and reward was praised by 247Sports analyst Andrew Ivins, who compared him to Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels:

"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," Ivins wrote in his scouting report. "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."

Alvin Henderson, a four-star running back signed with Auburn, has also posted staggering statistics. For the second consecutive year, he surpassed 3,000 rushing yards, amassing 3,456 yards and 61 touchdowns this season.

Ranked 104th nationally, Henderson’s exceptional consistency and explosive running style make him a standout candidate for the award.

Keelon Russell’s stellar senior season solidifies his status as a top 2025 quarterback prospect

Leading the No. 2-ranked high school football team in the nation, Duncanville (Texas), Five-Star Plus+ quarterback Keelon Russell has delivered a remarkable senior performance.

The 6-foot-3.25, 182-pound standout has completed over 70% of his throws, and averaging more than 300 yards per game, Russell has cemented himself as one of the premier players in high school football.

Duncanville boasts an undefeated 12-0 record and is advancing to the Texas UIL 6A Division I quarterfinals. As the favorite to secure a third consecutive state championship, the Panthers owe much of their success to Russell’s stellar play.

On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power lauded Russell's senior season:

“Keelon Russell is amidst of the best senior season of any top 2025 quarterback prospect. He’s led Duncanville to an undefeated record, a No. 2 ranking in the On3 Massey Ratings and is in pursuit of a third-straight state title in Texas’ highest classification. Russell has played phenomenal football as a senior, the game is moving very slow for him.”

After initially committing to SMU, Russell flipped to Alabama on June 4. Ranked as the No. 2 overall player in the 2025 class by the On3 Industry Ranking, Russell’s trajectory remains sky-high as he chases perfection with Duncanville.