2025 class Alabama QB commit Keelon Russell gets 5-star ranking after being listed as No. 9 prospect in country

Keelon Russell has finally received a five-star ranking from Rivals.com. The quarterback from Duncanville, Texas initially committed to the SMU Mustangs but later flipped his decision to join the Alabama Crimson Tide.

National recruiting analyst, Marshall Levenson shed light on Russell's rise into the five-star category.

"Russell started the offseason just inside the Rivals250 and saw himself rise into the top 50 before this summer," Levenson said, as per Yahoo Sports. "Now, after winning the Elite 11 Finals, the Quarterback Challenge at the Rivals Five-Star and adding plenty of other accolades and brilliant performances, Russell finds himself with his fifth star."

Russell has also improved his ranking and is currently the 9th-best overall prospect in the country. The 6-foot-3 QB received offers from schools such as Ole Miss, TCU, Florida, Oregon, Texas A&M, Purdue, UCLA, Oklahoma State, California, Texas, and Vanderbilt, among others.

Keelon Russell flipped his commitment from SMU to Alabama

Keelon Russell announced his commitment to SMU back in September 2023. However, he de-committed on June 4 and announced on the same day that he would join Alabama instead.

Russell visited Tuscaloosa on May 31 and spent a lot of time with the Crimson Tide's coach, Kalen DeBoer.

"We had great conversations about how I could come play and do all of this," the five-star QB told BamaOnLine's Joseph Hastings. "How the spot would be open. He likes my athleticism, my accuracy, and everything. He said I would be a perfect fit for the offense."

Another factor in Russell's decision to join Alabama was his relationship with the team's quarterbacks coach, Nick Sheridan.

"Talking to my pops, talking to my mom, both telling me how does Bama treat you differently? When I got on a Zoom call with Coach (Nick) Sheridan I’m seeing a connection," Keelon Russell told On3. "Seeing him break down plays, seeing him break down coverages, you can feel it almost."

Alabama's class of 2025 is ranked second overall, as per 247Sports. They have already landed 20 commitments so far and have extended offers to 229 high school prospects.