We are still a few days away from Christmas and Keelon Russell has already bagged half of the state’s gifts!

The Bama signee has a knack for stealing the spotlight and now he has turned his eyes to national awards. The Duncanville High School phenom seems destined for greatness. The 247Sports elite-11 MVP and 5-Star QB added yet another chapter to his growing legacy, one that Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer and offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan were more than happy to celebrate. But as the accolades pile up, the path to Tuscaloosa feels like the beginning of a blockbuster story, not the end.

The latest honor came in a special way. Kalen DeBoer, ever the showman, called Keelon Russell with what seemed like a routine check-in. “Just wanted to check-up o you, man” he teased, setting the stage for a big reveal, straight from the horses’s page on X. Moments later, he dropped the news: Russell had been named the Maxwell National High School Player of the Year. “You’ve earned it all, you earned it,” Sheridan chimed in, his voice filled with pride. “Stay true to who you are, and like [DeBoer], you poured into your team. The best is still ahead.”

For Keelon Russell, it’s another feather in an already stacked cap. Just weeks earlier, he was named the Gatorade National Football Player of the Year, a testament to his stellar senior season. The dual-threat quarterback put up eye-popping numbers, completing 238 of 343 pass attempts for 4,177 yards, 55 touchdowns, and just five interceptions. If that wasn’t enough, he led Duncanville to a state title as a junior and reached the state semifinals this season.

The timing couldn’t be better for Alabama. After a rough patch in the transfer portal, where the Tide saw an exodus that could rival a soccer squad in size, Russell’s commitment represents a beacon of hope. Flipping from SMU in June, the 2x state champ became the centerpiece of Bama’s future in feeding hungry receivers like freshman Williams, a future that seems brighter by the day. Kalen DeBoer and his OC’s excitement was palpable in the call, as they celebrated not just Russell’s achievements but what that means for the program. The 6-foot-3, 175-pound signal caller is the No. 2 overall prospect in the 2025 recruiting class, and gave hope to KB and Tide amidst a difficult end to their postseason hopes by the Mustangs.

You can call it a revenge with 5-Stars. And with still at 22-year-old and present QB1, Jalen Milroe already sitting in the front bench in every mock NFL Draft. If he were to leave, Russell would becomes a household name by default for Alabama.

Even after dealing with a lot of turmoil which still continues Kalen DeBoer has some reinforcements on the way. The team is dealing with its disappointing exclusion from playoffs with even his men opting out to play against Michigan. Now in line to play ReliaQuest Bowl in what might be star QB’s Milroe’s last game.

Don’t lose hope Kalen DeBoer, Russell is on it’s way

“There’s a swagger about him, a confidence about him,” Former Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer said during his signing day press conference, speaking of quarterback phenom Keelon Russell. And it’s not just talk. his presence has been a game-changer both on and off the field. “He’s become a major part of bringing and keeping this class together,” DeBoer added. “That’s exactly what you want from a leader, especially your quarterback.” As we already mentioned he’s leading his high school team on a jaw-dropping championship run.

As Russell’s journey continues with the above prestigious honor. The formal award ceremony will take place at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta on March 14, 2025. Circle that date, because it’s a big one.

But the excitement doesn’t stop there. Russell is set to enroll early at Alabama this winter, diving into a Tide quarterback room stacked with talent. He’s not coming alone, either. Alabama’s 2025 class is loaded, boasting three five-star signees, including offensive lineman Michael Carroll and cornerback Dijon Lee Jr. With 22 commits and the No. 5 recruiting class, Bama still hasn’t lost it in their post-Saban era. His journey is still in its early stages, but the signs are all there.