Alabama quarterback wowed key Tide defender this spring: “You can hear the ball sizzle when he throws it”

Sep 6, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell (12) drops back to pass against UL Monroe at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama defeated UL Monroe 73-0. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images

Keelon Russell impressed Alabama fans and media members during the Crimson Tide’s spring game, A-Day.

Russell’s performance looked to be what the Alabama staff and Tide players had seen throughout the spring from the former five-star. The Tide’s veteran safety and Mississippi native Bray Hubbard told USA TODAY’s Blake Toppmeyer that Russell has made his teammates say wow on more than one occasion with his arm.

“Keelon is a younger guy,” Hubbard told USA TODAY Sports, before the spring game. “Austin has been in the system, but I will say, Keelon has got a cannon. He gets us all the time with some balls. I’m like, ‘Wow, that takes a really impressive arm to throw’… You can hear the ball sizzle when he throws it.”

Kalen DeBoer told reporters what Russell put on display on A-Day was exactly what he was doing in practice before the spring game.

“But that was more of the same of what we’ve seen from Keelon, and Austin was a little bit limited, but Austin’s highlight reel would be something that people would be super impressed with as well,” DeBoer said during his press conference after A-Day. “And so Keelon got a chance to take advantage of a few extra reps, and I thought he did exactly that, and that’s what he should do, and I’m proud of him for it. Both of them are getting better every day.”

Russell and Mack are expected to continue to compete for the Crimson Tide’s starting quarterback role throughout the summer and into fall camp.