50 players Alabama fans need to know: The rising star who’s like ‘a video game’
Keelon Russell is competing with Austin Mack to be the starting quarterback for Alabama football in 2026.
Olivia Bennett 
EDITOR’S NOTE: Leading up to the unofficial start of the preseason at SEC Media Days on July 20, 205focus.com is spotlighting one Alabama football player each day. Our series continues today with quarterback Keelon Russell.
You didn’t need an expert eye to see that Keelon Russell was the standout performer during the A-Day game. While his outing wasn’t flawless, it was undeniably impressive.
Russell connected on 20 of his 32 pass attempts, racking up 229 yards, four touchdowns, and a single interception, according to unofficial stats logged by 205focus.com.
The impact of his play was evident to his teammates. Alabama wideout Ryan Coleman-Williams offered high praise during the scrimmage, noting, “It feels like you’re playing a video game when 12’s in.”
A Dynamic Skill Set
The former five-star prospect brings a unique versatility to the Crimson Tide offense. While he is a pure passer at his core, Russell possesses the mobility to extend plays and gain yards with his legs. This ability to improvise and maneuver, both as a scrambler and a playmaker behind the line of scrimmage, could be a critical asset this season, especially given the current uncertainties surrounding the offensive line.
“Keelon is a really, really good athlete,” offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb explained during spring practices. “I think his feet probably come into play. There is a piece of athleticism there with Keelon that’s different from some guys.”
The Battle for QB1
Although Russell looked like the superior signal-caller on A-Day, head coach Kalen DeBoer noted that Austin Mack was playing through an injury, meaning the starting job is far from decided. The competition between Russell and Mack is expected to rage on throughout the summer months.
Regardless of the final outcome, Russell’s development has been stark. Coleman-Williams emphasized that the young quarterback’s command of the offense has improved “light years” since his freshman campaign. “Just the way he has commanded and grown from last year to this year, like I said, it’s light years,” Coleman-Williams added.
Whether that rapid growth is enough to push him to the front of the pack remains the question heading into August.
COMING WEDNESDAY: We take a closer look at Crimson Tide quarterback Austin Mack.
