As you may have heard, Alabama quarterback commit Keelon Russell was named Elite 11 MVP.
Alabama football quarterback commits. Keelon Russell was voted the MVP of the Elite 11 finals on Thursday. The three-day program concluded Thursday in California with a 7-on-7 showcase, in which Russell excelled, according to several accounts.
Russell reversed his decision to join Kalen DeBoer’s Crimson Tide earlier this summer. The 2025 prospect initially committed to SMU.
Following his MVP triumph, the 6-foot-3, 180-pound signal-caller honored the Elite 11 on social media. He was the first Alabama commit to earn the award since Tua Tagovailoa in 2016.
As far as I recall, that Tagovailoa kid came out okay.
Keelon has already begun aggressive recruiting efforts.
Lockett is obviously a long shot, but he seems to enjoy his trip to Tuscaloosa.
The Longhorns will have their final shot at him this weekend, but Lockett paid a mid-week visit to Tuscaloosa to see what the new Crimson Tide staff is up to. And he came away really impressed with what is being created there.
“The experience was great,” he told On3’s Steve Wiltfong. “Alabama is the same Alabama we’re accustomed to seeing. I believe coach DeBoer will continue where Coach Saban left off. [I enjoyed] spending time with Coach Shephard and Coach DeBoer and hearing their intentions for me.”
He appreciates what they bring to the table offensively and is aware of their success at Washington with Michael Penix, Rome Odunze, and others.
Kalen DeBoer discussed how his track record at Washington has benefited him on the trail.
DeBoer has demonstrated the capacity to develop players throughout his career, which is currently paying off for him. Last season, his Washington team had ten players selected in the NFL Draft, three of which were first-round picks, including quarterback Michael Penix Jr., wide receiver Rome Odunze, and offensive tackle Troy Fautanu.
DeBoer stated that success was a talking point in his current recruiting efforts.
“I think the guys that were drafted from Washington this year have just added another level of, ‘Hey, this can happen at Alabama.'” And the people I work with have also proven themselves,” DeBoer remarked on the show. “So it’s definitely made it a bit more smooth because those questions don’t stay there for very long.
According to Bruce Feldman, the Tide are projected as the ninth seed in the inaugural 12-team playoff.
Kalen DeBoer guided Washington to the national championship game only two years after the Huskies were 4-8. Now he has a much greater challenge: replacing Nick Saban. Jalen Milroe had an excellent second half of the season. DeBoer has gushed about his new quarterback’s work ethic. If Milroe continues to develop, he might become a much larger challenge for opposition defenders. The Tide remain large and physical, but the secondary requires foundational work after losing two outstanding corners and an elite safety. They added an athletic safety in Michigan transfer Keon Sabb, and ex-USC corner Domani Jackson is lightning fast and extremely talented. The Alabama Crimson Tide will play a tough schedule, including games against Georgia, Wisconsin, Tennessee, Missouri, LSU, Oklahoma, and the Iron Bowl. It’s probable they’ll play five top-15 teams, three of which will be on the road.
