Alabama moves up in On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings after Keelon Russell commitment

Kalen DeBoer & Co. made a huge splash on Tuesday when Alabama flipped top-100 quarterback and Duncanville (Texas) product Keelon Russell away from SMU. That commitment moved the Crimson Tide up two spots to No. 6 in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings

Russell had been a member of SMU’s class since September but became a top flip target for DeBoer and the new Crimson Tide staff this spring. He took an official visit to Tuscaloosa the weekend of May 31, and soon after the buzz grew around Alabama.

He spent considerable time with DeBoer on this visit, who made another spring impression on him.

“We had great conversations about how I could come play and do all of this,” he told BamaOnLine’s Joseph Hastings. “How the spot would be open. He likes my athleticism, my accuracy, and everything. He said I would be a perfect fit for the offense.”

His relationship with quarterbacks coach Nick Sheridan has also been a key factor in the Tide’ ascension.

“Talking to my pops, talking to my mom, both telling me how does Bama treat you differently? When I got on a Zoom call with Coach (Nick) Sheridan I’m seeing a connection,” Russell told On3’s Steve Wiltfong at the On3 Elite Series. “Seeing him break down plays, seeing him break down coverages, you can feel it almost.”

Alabama Class Breakdown

Alabama’s 11-man class is led by Eastman (Ga.) Dodge County four-star athlete Darrell Johnson, who committed to the Tide in March.

Alabama commits Selma (Ala.) Southside four-star athlete Derick Smith and Montgomery (Ala.) Carver four-star running back Anthony Rogers both rank inside the top 125.

Saraland (Ala.) four-star defensive lineman Antonio Coleman flipped from Alabama to Auburn in December before returning his allegiances to Tuscaloosa in early March. Denton (Md.) North Caroline four-star athlete Zymear Smith and Los Angeles Mater Dei four-star linebacker Abduall Sanders joined Johnson, Derick Smith and Coleman in a very busy March for Bama recruiting.

Alabama picked up Millville (N.J.) speedster receiver Lotzeir Brooks and Rome (Ga.) top-200 linebacker Jaedon Harmon in April.