Alabama football’s true freshman quarterback, Keelon Russell, expressed his commitment to the Crimson Tide during a press conference on Tuesday, stating he plans to remain in Tuscaloosa for the upcoming season. Russell, a five-star recruit from Texas who joined the team ahead of the 2025 campaign, emphasized that he has no intention of entering the transfer portal.
With the team’s Rose Bowl semifinal against Indiana set for Thursday, Russell shared his focus is entirely on the game and helping fellow quarterback Ty Simpson. “Man, no, I’m 100% here,” he affirmed. “I’m worried about the Rose Bowl, going out there to do my thing, helping out Ty, just worried about the next steps in my journey this year.”
Russell, who has played in two games this season while preserving his redshirt status, has demonstrated his capability on the field, completing 4-of-6 passes for 65 yards and two touchdowns against Louisiana-Monroe, and 7-of-9 for 78 yards against Eastern Illinois. He spoke of his experiences thus far, highlighting the importance of patience as he learns behind Simpson and Austin Mack.
Russell noted, “We’ve talked about it almost every week. Like, it’s a learning moment. Being patient is just what you have to do sometimes. Ty waited four years to get this job, and he really is like my inspiration.” He added that both Simpson and Mack have shared their own experiences of waiting for their opportunities, underscoring the value of the learning process in the current quarterback room.
As the quarterback landscape may shift before next season—specific to Simpson’s potential move to the NFL—Russell remains optimistic about competing for a starting position in the future. Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb has praised Russell’s development, stating, “He’s an NFL quarterback. His ability to run the offense grows literally every time we practice.”
Despite the anticipation surrounding player movements, Alabama is focused on their immediate goals for the 2025 season. The Crimson Tide secured a victory against Oklahoma in the first round of the College Football Playoff and are poised to face off against top-ranked Indiana in the Rose Bowl. The game is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. CT in Pasadena and will be broadcast live on ESPN, with the winner advancing to the Peach Bowl semifinal in Atlanta to contend against either Texas Tech or Oregon. The team’s current focus and Russell’s dedication to his development signal a promising outlook for the future of Alabama football.