Alabama’s Keelon Russell has had a tough couple of months after his twin sister Kierston Russell passed away in early June. While the reason for death has not been revealed, the Tuscaloosa police described the incident as “appears to be non-criminal in nature.”
During the SEC media days, coach Kalen DeBoer took some time to reflect on how the team has supported the signal-caller through his grieving journey:
“Yeah, I mean, you know. Unfortunate, really a hard thing. Right?… Keelon (Russell), Keelon is looked at with high regard already… “
“But seeing, you know, upperclassmen offensive linemen, you know, freshman offensive linemen, support him on that trip. Upperclassmen receivers, freshman receivers. Guys on both sides of the ball that wanted to be there. That wanted to, you know, on a Saturday afternoon, be there to support him and take some time to go be with him.
“I know that meant a lot to him, and I think it shows a lot about the type of players we have, also, and about Keelon and the way he has established himself as a major member of the football team.”
Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer on him, other coaches and several teammates supporting Keelon Russell at his twin sister’s — Kierston Russell — funeral last month. pic.twitter.com/6v81ednt3p
— Brett Greenberg (@BrettGreenberg_) July 16, 2025
Kalen DeBoer also highlighted Keeron Russell’s leadership abilities and character as an individual. He told press that Russell was extremely close to his twin sister, and they knew this would be something that would affect him in the long run.
Kierston Russell was also an athlete, playing basketball at the high school level and being a standout for Duncanville High.
Keelon Russell is a former five-star recruit who was considered the second overall prospect in the class of 2025. He joined the Alabama Crimson Tide in early January 2025 and graduated from Duncanville High alongside his sister in 2024.
Kalen DeBoer speaks about state of Alabama’s quarterback room during the SEC media days
During his press conference during the SEC media days, Kalen DeBoer expressed his confidence in the state of the quarterback room of the Crimson Tide:
“Experience is a big deal,” DeBoer said at SEC media days. “Trying not to do too much when you don’t have to… They got the tools, now you are just trying to put them in those moments as much as possible where the lack of experience, maybe from a game situational standpoint, is able to come out in practice, help them feel prepared.”
DeBoer also highlighted the importance of encouraging players and filling them with the confidence to perform. It seems like for the Alabama coach, if something works, you don’t need to overhaul it. Just point it in the right direction. It’s hard to disagree with the man responsible for talents like Michael Penix Jr.
Coming into 2025, it seems like Ty Simpson is the player most likely to be the starting quarterback for Alabama. However, Kalen DeBoer hasn’t made a final decision yet, but has mentioned that Simpson is the frontrunner for the job. The other quarterbacks on the Crimson Tide’s roster are Keelon Russell and Austin Mack.
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