Quarterbacks headlined the latest Top247 recruiting rankings update for the 2025 cycle, and Alabama commit Keelon Russell was the most notable riser of the bunch as he picked up a fifth star and skyrocketed into his class’ top 10. The Elite 11 Finals MVP had a tremendous spring and more than held his own against the nation’s top prospects at the premier quarterback showcase, and he made one of the biggest moves on the recruiting trail last month when he flipped his commitment from SMU to the Crimson Tide.
“I’m very surprised,” Russell said on The College Football Recruiting Show of earning five-star status. “I’m just like, ‘Whoa.’ Even just top-10. Just blowing my mind, for real.”
The surge into the 2025 class’ most elite tier continues a sustained rise for Russell, who entered the rankings in 2023 outside the top 300. He exploded into the top-100 earlier this spring and did nothing but impress scouts on the camp circuit, earning a spot near the very top of his class.
“It means a lot to me,” said Russell. “It’s a true blessing. It’s a million kids out there, and to be named top-10, it means a lot. My work ethic has really been showing. The stuff that I do off the field has really been showing. Just being top-10, it’s a lot of work still to get No. 1. That’s my dream. That’s my goal, to be No. 1. But being top-10 is a blessing, for sure.”
RELATED (VIP) — Keelon Russell analysis, via Bama247 and 247Sports director of scouting Andrew Ivins
Russell’s junior year at Duncanville (Texas) was tremendous. He completed a whopping 72% of his passes for 3,483 yards and 38 touchdowns with just three interceptions and took the powerhouse program to its second-straight state title. The future Alabama signal-caller could be on the verge of his best season to date, and he figures to bring ample momentum into his college career.
“I’m just very thankful for y’all,” Russell said to Alabama fans. “Y’all are my biggest supporters. Y’all keep me going every day. I just can’t wait to be out there playing, being y’all’s starting quarterback, being under the big lights, winning national championships with y’all, representing Alabama, being the next Heisman up there. Like I said, I’m just truly blessed for all of y’all, all of my supporters.”
The Crimson Tide are on a hot streak in the 2025 cycle. First-year head coach Kalen DeBoer quickly silenced the doubters of his recruiting acumen with a string of high-profile commitments, and his program now stands at No. 2 in the team recruiting rankings behind only Ohio State. Russell and five-star cornerback Dijon Lee headline the loaded haul.
RELATED (VIP) — Alabama commits make big jumps in updated 2025 Top247
“I’m trying to get everybody I can,” Russell said. “I’m gonna just say that. Dakorien Moore, he’s committed to Oregon. I still tell him, ‘Signing Day is in December, so you’ve still got chances to come over.’ But other receivers like Caleb Cunningham, Kaliq Lockett. We’re trying to get him over there. And then, you know, AK Dear. We’re trying to get him over there. We’re trying to build that trio right there.
“And then O-linemen, we’re trying to get Ty Haywood on board. Don’t really know why he ain’t pulled the trigger. We’re trying to get those dudes over there, and I feel like we’re in the league for most of those dudes. It’s going to be special.”
