Freshman quarterback Keelon Russell could have a bright future at the University of Alabama.
His new offensive coordinator, Ryan Grubb, recently spoke in front of the media about Russell and some of the team’s younger quarterbacks.
Ryan Grubb’s Take on Keelon Russell’s Game
Here is what Grubb had to say in regards to who Russell reminds him of:
Listen to how Grubb talks about Keelon Russell versus how he talks about other freshmen like AK Dear and Michael Carroll. Not a knock on those guys either. They’re freshman. That’s what you’d expect. The way he talks about Russell though? Lets you know that dude built different. pic.twitter.com/q2KwHenypF
— Clint Lamb (@ClintRLamb) March 6, 2025
“Keelon’s vision reminds me of Michael (Penix) a little bit,” Grubb said. “He has good, wide vision with the field and can see it even when he doesn’t know exactly what’s going on.”
Russell being compared to a starting NFL quarterback and former college football superstar in Penix should make Alabama fans very happy.
Grubb compared Russell to Penix because he coached Penix at the University of Washington from 2022-23. In those two seasons, Penix took the college football world by storm. In 2022, he was named the AP Comeback Player of the Year after throwing for over 4,600 yards and 31 touchdowns.
The next season, he won the Maxwell Award and became an All-American after leading Washington to the national championship game as he threw for over 4,900 yards and 36 touchdowns.
He was one of the best pocket passers in recent memory with Grubb as his offensive coordinator and quarterback coach, which is why Russell could have a high ceiling.
Will Russell Be Named the Starter?
With Russell still a little raw at just 17 years of age, head coach Kalen DeBoer might very well decide to roll with 22-year-old signal-caller Ty Simpson as his starter for next season.
Simpson came to Alabama in 2022 while Nick Saban was still the head coach and has had to sit behind Jalen Milroe, who is off to the NFL. In his college career, Simpson has completed 30 passes for 381 yards. After waiting for a couple of years, it might be time for him to get a crack at the starting role.
Russell could then follow him and learn the ways of being a starter in the SEC, which is arguably the toughest conference in the country.
KEEP READING: Alabama Players React to Ryan Grubb’s First Spring Practice With Crimson Tide
Take it from players like Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, and Patrick Mahomes: sitting isn’t a bad thing.
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