Keelon Russell looks ahead to Bama return, recruiting priority targets

This upcoming weekend, Keelon Russell will make his second-ever trip to the University of Alabama. And, unlike his official visit the first weekend of June, Russell will step foot on campus committed to the Crimson Tide, not elsewhere.

His top priority this weekend will be to continue building relationships with the coaches and players. Several future teammates from the 2025 class will be in attendance for Sunday’s cook-out event, including his three fellow five-star commitments .

He’s looking forward to chopping it up with a few targets in the 2026 class as well.

“I would probably say the biggest thing with trying to get those dudes on board is persuading them that we can do anything, for real,” Russell told BamaOnLine . “With the offense and the defense we’re going to have in the upcoming years, it’s going to be something that’s special at this place. Like I’ve said previous times, this is a place that’s legendary. If you want to come be legendary, this is somewhere you’d want to be.”

The likes of Florida, Ole Miss, Oregon, and others were in pursuit of Russell while he was committed to nearby SMU.

Even though he was heavily pursued prior to his June 4 flip, Russell has shut down communication with everyone but Alabama.

“I feel real good with Bama,” Russell said. “I’m solely locked in [with Alabama]. I don’t even want to answer any calls from anyone. I’m solely locked in, ready to get on the field, and ready to get things started at Bama.”

Russell communicates frequently with Crimson Tide coaches and support staff. He’s primarily in contact with offensive coordinator/future position coach Nick Sheridan , but does hear from head coach Kalen DeBoer as well.

“It’s been going real good with them. They’ve really been nothing else but football and family, so it’s real great,” Russell said. “As time has been going on, we’ve been talking about football and plays. Really just been checking on me, which I 100 percent respect. Making sure I’m good. Like I said, they’ve been nothing but family and football for me.”

A pair of top-40 overall prospects remain on Russell’s radar

Starting with Russell’s commitment, Alabama went on a hot streak on the recruiting trail this summer.

Since he announced his flip, the Tide have landed verbal pledges from 13 more recruits. That includes fellow five-stars Caleb Cunningham , Dijon Lee , and Ty Haywood , bringing Bama’s ranking up to No. 1 in the country.

Alongside Haywood, Alabama has added priority offensive linemen targets Jackson Lloyd , Mal Waldrep , Micah DeBose , and Michael Carroll .

“It’s the brick wall,” Russell said of the o-line class. “This offensive line is very special. Got tons of talent on this line. Tons of great dudes and tons of big dudes. Like I told coach, it’s going to be 1,000 seconds in the pocket for me. I’m very excited to be blocked by these dudes and work with them, for sure.”

The addition of Cunningham was well-received by Russell, who heavily recruited the Mississippi-based wideout .

“It’s one of the biggest factors on offense because it gives me a target I can really trust and let him go get it when I throw it,” Russell said of Cunningham’s addition. “We’re going to have an amazing season. It’s going to be fun with these dudes. Incoming freshmen all the way to our senior years, it’s going to be fun with these dudes. Balling out with these dudes. I’m just excited.”

Alabama has their sights set on another prized recruit out of Mississippi in running back Akylin Dear .

Is Russell recruiting the nation’s No. 2 running back?

“Oh yeah, for sure,” Russell replied. “I’m really supposed to be playing him here in the NCAA [game] in a few. Chopping it up with him. I feel like he’s on the right page with us. If not, next one steps up. As far as it goes, we’re going to keep getting dudes that are ready to play and ready to get this thing started.”

On Aug. 7, five-star receiver Kaliq Lockett will announce his decision, with Bama being a finalist. It was a conversation with Russell that got Lockett on campus last month, and that communication has not slowed down.

“That’s not going to stop, either,” Russell said of his pursuit of Lockett. “Like I said, if you want to come be legendary, you know where to find legendary. I’m feeling great. I feel like it’s either us or Texas. I feel like, ‘Why wouldn’t you want to come be with the best?’ So yeah, I feel real good about it.”

Keelon Russell talks five-star status, looks ahead to his upcoming season

Of course, the grind never stops for Keelon Russell. This offseason has been an overwhelmingly successful one in addition to his Bama commitment as he’s excelled in every camp setting, culminating in an Elite 11 Finals MVP win. He continues to put in the work when it comes to his fundamentals and mechanics (video – HERE ).

Earlier this month, Russell was named a five-star by 247 Sports and, in the process, became a five-star on the On3 Industry Rankings.

“It feels great. It feels amazing to be a five-star,” Russell said. “But I feel like there are a lot of ups in this business that I still haven’t got yet. It’s not No. 1, so I can’t get too happy. At the same time, I’m proud of myself on this journey. It’s not No. 1. It’s not Five-Star Plus+. So, there are still multiple goals I can accomplish.”

Alongside Oregon commitment Dakorien Moore and other talented players on the Duncanville Panthers, Russell is ready to begin his senior season in early September.

“I’m looking forward to this senior year to end things on the right way,” Russell said. “End things in the greatest ways that it can be. Want to be one of the best players to come out of Duncanville High School. Like I said, there are still a lot of things I’ve got to conquer.”

Keep track of BOL’s updated running list of Cook-Out visitors – HERE !

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