SMU QB commit Keelon Russell makes move up in On300
2025 Duncanville (Tex.) quarterback Keelon Russell, who committed to SMU in September, made a move up in the latest On300 revealed on Monday.
On3 ranked him as the No. 132 overall prospect, No. 12 quarterback nationally and No. 24 prospect in Texas. Now, he moves up to No. 123 overall, is the 10th-ranked quarterback in America and No. 23 prospect in Texas.
On3 director of scouting Charles Power is a big fan of the On300 prospect. Russell can do it both with his legs and arm as he’s led Duncanville to back-to-back state championships.
“The baseline skillset is very encouraging. The physical skillset’s encouraging,” Power said. “He’s a guy who I think is going to continue to get better. Far from a finished product, but is already a good player so I think that makes you feel good about his upside. He’s played big-time football, top competition at Duncanville in Texas’ highest classification. By the time he gets to college, he’s going to be battle tested and have played in a lot of big games.
“I think there’s some positive indicators for Keelon Russell as a prospect. Still very early, but we like what we’ve seen so far. I think he has a playmaking element to his game that’s encouraging. It’s something we tend to value in blue-chip quarterback prospects.”
SMU staff has the trust of Keelon Russell
Head coach Rhett Lashlee, quarterbacks coach D’Eriq King and others have made the four-star prospect feel comfortable on the Hilltop.
“I like them overall as a unit. The staff is amazing,” Russell said. “Coach King is amazing, he’s been there, he’s done it at the pro level. I feel like he’s going to have the most experience just when it comes to talking about, 3-step drops, 5-step drops, hole shots, coverages. He’s going to know everything because he’s been there before.
“I really trust him and coach Lashlee, too. He’s an offensive guy. Quarterback at one time. Him just being a head coach slash OC slash QB coach, know what I’m saying? It’s just beautiful. I really trust these dudes to get me to be a Heisman candidate.”
Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Florida, Cal, UCLA and others continue to turn the heat up on Russell, but he’s not backed off his pledge to the Mustangs.
