Keelon Russell Scouting Report

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BamaMoon

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I'm already super high on KR.

But this weekend I'm bringing my son up to date on the new hot shot QB recruit we signed.

Looked him up to read his impressive stat line as my son and I were discussing Bama football and found some gems to share:

He's 6' 3.25" and weighs 180. He'll be our tallest QB since Mac Jones, who was 6'3" IIRC and Coker, who, IIRC was around 6'4". This is assuming he eventually plays/starts over AM (which is a huge assumption at this point) but AM is 6'6" or 7" last I checked. BTW, both of these kids could grow some more.

In his HS career, he threw for 7444 yards and 90 TDs against just 7 INTs. That's insane considering how most QBs will have 2 or 3 INTs a year just off unlucky tipped pass at the LOS!

But, it was this player scouting report evaluation off of the 247 site by Andrew Ivins, Director of Scouting that blew me away as he projects KR as a 1st round draft choice and comparable to Jayden Daniels of the Commanders.

I'll go ahead a warn you ahead of time when you read this you're gonna lick your lips so much you'll need some good lip balm afterward.

Link: https://247sports.com/player/keelon-russell-46137983/

Scouting Report: Elite playmaker for the quarterback position with no shortage of valuable game reps that knows how to feather the fine line between risk and reward. Has proven to be one of the most accurate passers in the 2025 cycle and at the halfway point of his senior campaign owned a Top247-best 70.8 percent career completion percentage. Can attack all three levels of the field with precision and get the ball out fast as he alters his release point and is quick to improvise. Blessed with both the speed and agility to turn scrambles into back-breaking gains, but is the type of signal caller that’s going to try and win with his arm as he slides away from pressure and slips out of sacks. Has continued to improve as a decision maker and has a good understanding of when it's OK to roll the dice as he will take calculated shots and give his wide receivers an opportunity to make plays. Certainly has benefited from an all-star supporting cast while facing stiff Texas-based competition over the years, but has done more than just steer the boat as he has delivered time and time again in key moments. Overall, should be viewed as one of the more exciting quarterback prospects in recent recruiting cycles given the natural arm talent, plus athleticism and snarky competitiveness. Slender build could eventually ding him, but has what it takes to eventually provide some fireworks for a College Football Playoff contender and then possibly an NFL franchise.
 

BamaMoon

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BTW, I'm not projecting KR starts as a true freshman, cause I think TS has a huge advantage to do so, but I will say this kid will be nipping at his heels from day #1!
 
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gtgilbert

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Good stuff - I hope he's able to make it to campus for bowl prep so he can start ramping up to speed. If he comps to Daniels we'll be in great shape for the future. Watched part of the commanders game yesterday and that kid has incredible presence in the pocket for a rookie and knows where to go with the ball.
 

BamaMoon

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Good stuff - I hope he's able to make it to campus for bowl prep so he can start ramping up to speed. If he comps to Daniels we'll be in great shape for the future. Watched part of the commanders game yesterday and that kid has incredible presence in the pocket for a rookie and knows where to go with the ball.
I don't know how "early" early entrants can get on campus, but I'm pretty sure he's enrolling early and will definitely be around during Spring Practice.

I hope the JD comparisons are based more than just on his frame. Obviously the 6 inches between the ears for a QB is weapon #1 and then all the other skills come next! But as frame and outward skills are concerned, he seems like a can't miss!
 

gtgilbert

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I don't know how "early" early entrants can get on campus, but I'm pretty sure he's enrolling early and will definitely be around during Spring Practice.

I hope the JD comparisons are based more than just on his frame. Obviously the 6 inches between the ears for a QB is weapon #1 and then all the other skills come next! But as frame and outward skills are concerned, he seems like a can't miss!
Typically as soon as they get the confirmation from their HS they have graduated, they can show up on campus. We usually have a lot of guys come in and take advantage of the bowl practices to ramp up. There was a pic of Sayin and a lot of the others from the 24 class from practice last year before the UM game.
 

tusks_n_raider

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Typically as soon as they get the confirmation from their HS they have graduated, they can show up on campus. We usually have a lot of guys come in and take advantage of the bowl practices to ramp up. There was a pic of Sayin and a lot of the others from the 24 class from practice last year before the UM game.
I'd like to know the real deal with his story one day.

I've heard two versions and they both seem to have equal backing.

One is that Sayin left own his own because he wanted to be coached by BoB at tOSU and the other is that his meeting with CKD did not go well and CKD 'encouraged' him to look into the portal.

Maybe it's a bit of both? I've never heard a definitive version though.
 
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RollTide_HTTR

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I'd like to know the real deal with his story one day.

I've heard two versions and they both seem to have equal backing.

One is that Sayin left own his own because he wanted to be coached by BoB at tOSU and the other is that his meeting with CKD did not go well and CKD 'encouraged' him to look into the portal.

Maybe it's a bit of both? I've never heard a definitive version though.
From what I've seen it's a kinder version of the 2nd one. Mack coming played a role from what I've read.

But idk the real story 🤷‍♂️
 
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CrimsonEyeshade

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A well-connected bud of mine from Ohio says Sayin will be the starter in Columbus next year. Is that the case, BIG?
 

BamaMoon

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The story I believe is he committed to CNS to be in a system he thought would prepare him for the NFL.

CKD runs a version of the air raid that I believe he didn't believe would prepare him. I believe this is why he transferred.

Think about it. If Sayin is really the kind of talented QB we thought, would CKD really say "I think you should transfer." Even with Mack coming and with the QB room we already had, you'd never tell a 5 star QB "I don't want you."
 

editder

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The story I believe is he committed to CNS to be in a system he thought would prepare him for the NFL.

CKD runs a version of the air raid that I believe he didn't believe would prepare him. I believe this is why he transferred.

Think about it. If Sayin is really the kind of talented QB we thought, would CKD really say "I think you should transfer." Even with Mack coming and with the QB room we already had, you'd never tell a 5 star QB "I don't want you."
Maybe a copy of the 4-play playbook they worked up for Milroe was inadvertently left open on the table when he went in to see CKD and it scared him off.
 

NoNC4Tubs

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The story I believe is he committed to CNS to be in a system he thought would prepare him for the NFL.

CKD runs a version of the air raid that I believe he didn't believe would prepare him. I believe this is why he transferred.

Think about it. If Sayin is really the kind of talented QB we thought, would CKD really say "I think you should transfer." Even with Mack coming and with the QB room we already had, you'd never tell a 5 star QB "I don't want you."
Yeah, I think there is more to that story than has been put out there.

I don't see CKD running a talent like Sayin off... :cool:
 

B1GTide

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BamaMoon

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IIRC, guys like Sayin were part of practices leading up to last year's playoff but hadn't he already enrolled?

Don't know the procedure but wouldn't KR have to be enrolled to practice and I wouldn't think that could happen until after the 1st of the year?
 

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