Sports

Alabama’s 5-Star Freshman Announces Presence In QB1 Battle With Preseason Body Transformation

#Alabama Crimson Tide
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An Alabama Crimson Tide logo on a football helmet.

© Stephen Lew-Imagn Images


Alabama freshman quarterback Keelon Russell has been on campus since January after signing in the early recruiting period. He’s made incredible gains in Tuscaloosa as he battles for positioning in the QB race.

A five-star talent, he hopes to beat out veterans Ty Simpson and Austin Mack for the starting role. His presence was officially announced when the Crimson Tide provided an updated spring roster to the fanbase.

Russell has immense potential. There’s a reason he was rated as the No. 2 overall player in his cycle (247 Sports). One knock against the youngster, as many see upon making the move from high school to college, was size.

The passer was listed at 6-3 and 175 pounds upon signing with the Tide. For reference, former Alabama signal caller Bryce Young tipped the scales at 194 pounds during his junior year.

Russell arrived to campus skinny. He’s since beefed up according to the latest roster update.

Keelon Russell has added nearly 20 pounds over the last few months. The college nutrition and weightlifting programs have made an immediate impact.

The size, outside of SEC experience, might’ve been his biggest knock. The quarterback’s already quieting concerns surrounding his build.

Can Keelon Russell win the starting role?

Many in Tuscaloosa believe so. Early reports from offseason training have been positive. There is a large portion of Alabama fans who believe Russell is the most talented player in the QB room.

Russell sat down with new teammate Ryan Williams in February to talk about his commitment to the university. He had no pause after landing an offer from Kalen DeBoer.

“When Bama calls you, you gotta answer… You’re locked in already.”

Now that he’s on campus, the next step is getting onto the field. For now, Simpson would appear to be the leader in the clubhouse. He sat patiently behind Jalen Milroe for three seasons. He stuck around when he could’ve hit the transfer portal. The opportunity should be his to lose.

With that being said, calls for his replacement will be loud should he struggle early on in his first season as a starter, and he’ll be tested right away.

Alabama kicks off its 2025 college football season with a trip to Florida State. It will then face Wisconsin and Georgia in the month of September.

The quarterback position will be followed closely in Tuscaloosa. We’ll see if a beefed-up Keelon Russell sees the field.