Five-star QB Keelon Russell has one-word reaction to describe latest Colorado commitment rumors

Talented Duncanville quarterback Keelon Russell is a five-star prospect ranked as the No. 3 QB in the Class of 2025 by 247Sports. Russell makes up one of the four five-star prospects that have committed to recruitment guru coach Kalen DeBoer's Alabama Crimson Tide, but his arrival in Tuscaloosa is not a foregone conclusion.

Most recently, there have been reports by 247Sports analyst Steve Wiltfong linking coach Deion Sanders' Colorado. The Buffaloes will be in need of an elite signal-caller after maverick quarterback Shedeur Sanders departs for the NFL, with a move to flip Russell's commitment.

According to Rivals analyst Marshall Levenson, Russell rubbished the speculation around his commitment with one word.

"Nah!" Russell said.

According to Steve Wiltfong, Colorado offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur traveled to Texas to watch Russell in action for the Duncanville Panthers and try to convince him to visit Boulder.

"Coach Sanders and company want to sign an elite one from the high school ranks and Shurmur went out to see Alabama five-star commit Keelon Russell late last week at his school," Wiltfong wrote. "Russell will be a tough flip from the Crimson Tide but there has been dialogue and Colorado is trying to get him to campus as well."

The Buffs have also long courted talented USC Trojans commit Julian Lewis, who has visited Boulder several times and been accorded top-notch treatment as Coach Prime frantically searches for Shedeur Sanders' successor.

Keelon Russell has been prolific in high school

Keelon Russell has been a starter for the Duncanville Panthers for the past three years, leading them to two Texas (UIL) 6A Division 1 championships. The last one came in 2023 when his team beat North Shore 49-33, with the talented quarterback going 14 of 20 for 288 yards and three touchdowns.

Last season, Russell registered 3,483 yards and 38 touchdowns while adding six touchdowns on the ground.

Keelon Russell put on a show in the heated game pitting the No. 2 Duncanville Panthers against the No. 9 DeSoto Eagles in a Friday night game. The quarterback registered 427 yards, resulting in six touchdowns in a 42-20 win to keep the hype machine rolling.

With Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe almost certainly departing for the NFL via the 2025 draft as one of the top prospects, Keelon Russell could be set to battle for the Crimson Tide's QB1 job as a true freshman to pair with electric wide receiver Ryan Williams.