‘A Guy That Has Special Instincts’ — Nick Saban Compares Alabama QB Keelon Russell to Bryce Young While Praising Alabama QB’s ‘Maturity’
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Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Keelon Russell put college football on notice with a sensational Week 5 performance against the previously undefeated Mississippi State Bulldogs in Starkville.
After beating Austin Mack for the Crimson Tide’s QB1 job, Russell has been the engine of one of college football’s scariest offenses this season, which will be severely tested when they face off against a rabid Georgia Bulldogs defense in Tuscaloosa.
Before the marquee SEC clash, former Alabama coach Nick Saban lavished praise on Russell’s talent and poise.
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During Friday’s segment of the “Pat McAfee Show,” Saban credited Russell with helping create the dynamic behind what he called probably Kalen DeBoer’s best Alabama team and compared the young quarterback to Crimson Tide icon Bryce Young.
“Keelon Russell, the maturity that he plays with, and he shows for a guy that is a young player that has only started in what, four or five games now, is pretty phenomenal to me,” Saban said.
He added, “His [Keelon Russell] instincts as a player and his ability to make plays, he is a playmaker. I always called Bryce Young a point guard playing quarterback. This guy is very similar. Knows when to scramble, keeps his eyes downfield, makes plays, running it, throwing it, extending plays.”
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“This is a guy that has special instincts. I always say processing is the most important thing for the quarterback. This guy can do that very well, and he can extend plays. I think that has helped create a dynamic on this team that is probably Kalen DeBoer’s best team that he’s had in the three years he’s been here because this team has really come together in a positive way,” Saban continued.
Young will be in Tuscaloosa for the epic clash between his former team and the Bulldogs as the guest picker on ESPN’s “College GameDay.”
The Carolina Panthers quarterback had a legendary career at Alabama, setting several records, including single-game passing yards (559 against Arkansas), single-season passing yards (4,872), and single-season passing touchdowns (47). Young sits at No. 2 in program history with 8,356 passing yards and 80 passing touchdowns.
Young finished his Bama career with a 23-4 record as a starter, winning the Heisman Trophy, Davey O’Brien Award, Maxwell Award, and SEC Offensive Player of the Year, while earning consensus first-team All-America honors in 2021.
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On the other hand, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, Russell was the No. 2 quarterback and No. 2 overall player in the 2025 class, just behind Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood.
After serving as the Crimson Tide’s third-string quarterback behind Ty Simpson and Mack last year, Russell won the starting job this season.
Russell has earned a PFN’s CFB QB Impact grade of 92.2 (No. 3 nationally) after tallying 1,414 passing yards on 71.2% completion, 11 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions, adding 184 rushing yards and 4 scores for the Crimson Tide this season. Alabama’s offense has earned a PFN’s CFB Team Offense Impact grade of 90.2 (No. 6 in college football).
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.
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