The present meets the future! Alabama star quarterback Jalen Milroe is already making waves in college football. He’s been super busy with media interviews and Alabama’s recruiting spree. He’s also hanging out with younger quarterbacks to teach them the ropes.

Alabama had a big recruiting party this weekend called the Cold Summer Cookout in Tuscaloosa. It was like a fancy open house for top high school football players. It was predicted that nearly 30 star recruits would visit Alabama, including potential commits like 5-star edge rusher Anthony Jones and running back Akylin Dear. The recent 5-star quarterback commit Keelon Russell didn’t miss the action either. 

Both Milroe and Russell had a chance to connect during the event. Milroe even shared some tips and advice with the young quarterback. An X handle posted photos of them together, saying, “There’s really no Alabama talk going here. This family. @JMilroe spitting knowledge to the one who benefits the most from what he has to say @Pres1dential. Loved seeing them connect @ the Bama Champions Cookout is still a #coldsummer.”

Milroe’s been killing it lately. After leading Alabama to the SEC title, he’s been the center of the spotlight during the team’s SEC media days. He even did interviews with sports giants like ESPN, with some experts even calling him the “face of college football.”

He’s further cementing his presence by being part of the team’s “cold” recruiting weekend, too. Not just that, Milroe has played a big role in attracting the 5-star talent to the Tide. So, why not use his presence to attract even more?

Russell to fill Jalen Milroe’s big shoes

Keelon Russell just made a big move. The quarterback was all set to play for SMU, but after visiting Alabama last week, he decided to flip his commitment. With Jalen Milroe likely heading to the NFL next year, Russell could be the next star quarterback for the Crimson Tide.

Last month, Russell said he even talked to Milroe before making his big decision. “Milroe told me about the tough times he went through when he got benched,” Russell said. “It showed me what it takes to be a real quarterback.” The 5-star QB knows it’s difficult to follow in Milroe’s footsteps, especially since Milroe is a top contender for the Heisman and even a potential first-round pick in the NFL draft next year.

But Russell is no slouch himself. He was recently named the MVP of an elite quarterback camp, thus boosting his 4-star status to 5-star. At this point, he’s also the top-rated quarterback in Alabama’s 2025 class. Let’s see what benchmark Milroe sets for this elite passer.