Five-Star Keelon Russell is under increasing pressure as serious repercussions follow Alabama’s move following the Jalen Milroe scandal.
Even dynasties make mistakes, but the Alabama Crimson Tide has long been the best college football team. During the 2024 season, Bama showed off their skills one week, like as their historic victory over Georgia, and then fell apart the next week against teams they often dominated. The contradiction was simply perplexing. Regretfully, following a 19–13 ReliaQuest Bowl loss to Michigan, former quarterback Jalen Milroe left some uncertainty surrounding his and their future. However, the obvious issue goes back a long way, as he declared for the 2025 NFL draft. Before making his announcement, he took his own time to plan the ideal buildup. Is it possible that Kalen DeBoer will be saved by this Duncanville High 5-Star who is skilled at balancing risk and reward? Is it?
On Josh Pate’s College Football Show episode 598, Josh Pate, who is known for his measured optimism and scathing criticism, put it simply: “They were held hostage by that position (quarterback) all year, I mean how schizophrenic did that offense look.” No lies were found, especially for an offense with 11 picks this season. It all started with #4, Jalen Miroe. In a world where the quarterback position determines fortunes, Alabama found itself adrift. In a year where he humbled Georgia and LSU, he was hit by Karma against Vandy and OU.
Who is at fault? Not the coach, surely? “Take a look at how awful DeBoer’s offense looked this season. Whether Jalen Milroe showed up or not wasn’t his offense. Although it’s not the first time, you should typically be a little more careful and don’t anticipate that from a starter who has been there for a number of years. Keelon Russell, a 2025 five-star recruit, is one of the three attractive alternatives because the Saban era is over.
Pate said, “Keelon Russell is your guy,” placing the future of the Crimson Tide firmly in the hands of their best recruit since Bryce Young. Keelon Russell, who is regarded as the “Future of the Bama,” has already won over Pate and Kalen DeBoer. “The way I choose to look at Alabama right now is through a two-year lens,” Josh says of the situation. “I believe Keelon Russell will be your starter by 2026, and I believe you are contending for a national championship with him as your starter,” he continued. If they attend the celebration early this year, you can be kind and put a cheerful on top. It goes without saying that “they will be very competitive in 2025; this is not some poverty program.”Uncertain about quarterbacking, Kalen DeBoer was given the enviable responsibility of cleaning up the pieces following Milroe’s turbulent stint.
Keelon Russell, a 6’4” phenomenon, is believed because of his statistics. 3,874 throwing yards, an incredible 53 touchdowns to just four interceptions, and a completion rate of more than 70%. Potential is evident in those figures, but it isn’t a championship. Pate’s circumspect phrasing says it all: Russell is the centerpiece of DeBoer’s plans, even if patience is needed, even while Alabama’s 2025 quarterback position may still be up for grabs.
That patience is essential. Right now, it takes the shape of three quarterbacks: Keelon Russell, a freshman, Austin Mack, and Ty Simpson. Simpson, the quarterback with the greatest experience, hasn’t proven himself to be the heir apparent yet. Despite being a gifted freshman, Mack is uncertain. Russell, on the other hand, seems to have boundless promise. However, is it unreasonable to expect a genuine freshman to enter the SEC football furnace and produce a ball worthy of winning a championship? Pate advised against having irrational expectations of any athlete, regardless of their talent, saying, “I choose to never expect that out of anyone.” “I’m just pleasantly pleased if I get it. Nevertheless, Russell’s charm cannot be disregarded. With a calmness that defies his age, the Gatorade National Football Player of the Year has a talent for balancing risk and reward.
As he begins his second year in charge, Kalen DeBoer must perform a careful balancing act. He must keep Alabama competitive now while developing Russell for the future. A nine-win season is disappointing in Tuscaloosa, even though it is respectable for other programs. The Tide aren’t made to linger in mediocrity. Additionally, this offseason’s quarterback competition will be among the most closely watched in college football. Although Russell has all he needs to win the job, his rivals aren’t giving up easily.
This is unquestionably advantageous for Keelon Russell, who is anticipated to assume command of the Crimson Tide cruise ship. Paul Finebaum never backs down from a daring opinion, and his most recent one concerns former Alabama quarterback and Bama head coach Jalen Milroe. The seasoned ESPN commentator believes that DeBoer’s greatest news of the season may be Milroe’s exit from the Crimson Tide.
The attention turns on Russell when Milroe leaves, giving him the opportunity to fill the hole. To put it mildly, some people are really into him. Russell is already being compared to Alabama’s Heisman-winning standout, Bryce Young, by Colin Gay of Tuscaloosa News. Gay thinks Russell might soon be able to compete for starting QB reps, just like Young did.
