Five-star quarterback recruit Keelon Russell has emerged as a key piece in Alabama’s 2025 class. During the Under Armor All-American Bowl check-in, Russell openly expressed his ambitions when asked if he wanted to vie for the starting quarterback position.

“Definitely get to the starting position,” Russell said. “The mindset is to switch gears and win national championships, get awards, and that’s the mindset.”

Russell is the highest-rated player in the Crimson Tide’s 2025 class, decommitting from SMU to Alabama in June before officially signing on Dec. 4. Now the signal-caller is preparing to enroll early in Tuscaloosa, where he will also compete in the highly competitive Southeastern Conference.

“We signed with Alabama ready to get out there too, ready to compete, ready to take some spots, you know what I mean? Ready to come to the SEC, ready to win national championships. I’m willing to do anything.” “Let’s do it,” Russell said.

Russell, the 2025 Gatorade Soccer National Player of the Year, is rated a five-star recruit by all major recruiting agencies. During his senior season, he threw for 4,177 yards with a 69.4% completion rate and 55 touchdowns.

Keelon Russell leads Team Icon in Under Armour’s next All-America game

Standout quarterback Keelon Russell is ready to lead Team Icon as captain in the Under Armor Next All-America Game. The event will take place Jan. 2 at DeLand’s Spec Martin Stadium.

“Hey, man, we at the UA All-American game are ready to compete, ready to go out there, throw the ball and put them up,” Russell said.

Joining Russell on Team Icon are two five-star offensive standouts from the 2025 class: quarterback Julian Lewis (signed from Colorado) and wide receiver Dakorien Moore (signed from Oregon). The squad also includes promising talents such as defensive lineman Bryce Davis, running back Akylin Dear, defensive back Tae Harris, linebacker Tyler Lockhart and wide receiver Anthony Rogers.

Team Icon faces a big challenge in Team Unstoppable, whose roster includes five-star cornerbacks Na’eem Offord (Oregon signee) and Blake Woodby (Auburn signee), as well as five-star offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell and the four -Star edge rusher Zion Elee belongs (Maryland commit).