Ryan Grubb evaluates skillset, potential of Keelon Russell

Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell will not be the Crimson Tide’s starting quarterback this season, based on the announcement this week out of Tuscaloosa. Still, his future remains very bright as he enters his first college season in two weeks.

Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb spoke about Russell with the media on Tuesday. He said Russell had been everything he’d been told he’d be and more, with only room to grow from here as he develops at the collegiate level.

“You know, Coach Sheridan and, you know, Coach DeBoer did a phenomenal job recruiting (Keelon) and, you know, I thought their assessment when I got here was spot-on,” Grubb said. “He’s a very composed player. Very young player. And, even when it’s not perfect and things aren’t going Kee’s way, I think he’s able to just slow the game down, and I think that that’s something that’s, you know, somewhat innate and you just do.

“And, so, I think, when you can build and then you continue to build on the knowledge base and understanding of the system? He’ll just keep getting better. He’s a really, really calm, excellent player with great vision.”

Russell is likely to start for Alabama at some point in his college career. That’s just based on his pedigree as a Five-Star+ prospect in the 2025 recruiting class per Rivals’ Industry Ranking, also rating as the No. 2 overall player and quarterback in the cycle behind only QB Bryce Underwood (Michigan). He has also since lived up to some of that since arriving on campus as part of this competition over the offseason.

That said, Ty Simpson, the redshirt junior, officially won the quarterback battle at ‘Bama as of Monday. That leaves it now to a battle to be his backup between Russell and QB Austin Mack.

“Well, I think, for those guys – not I think. I know they have to continue to progress. I think that, for quarterbacks in general? Any position is tough, but the development of a quarterback, to continue to move forward during the season I think is the toughest thing. Like, that’s the thing. You have to find ways to generate, both coaching staff-wise, to create looks and opportunities that those guys don’t just pause,” Grubb said of Russell and Mack now that Simpson has been named Alabama’s QB1. “Young quarterbacks that are talented, like Austin and Keelon? What you don’t want is that the starter is named and all this improvement that they’ve been making to this point just come to a screeching halt. So, that part, they totally understood. I know they’re up to the task.”

Russell is going to have his time down in T-Town. Since it’s not yet, though, it’s now on him to continue developing for when that time comes, especially if he were to become the outright backup for this season at Alabama.