Nick Saban Compares Keelon Russell To Former Alabama QB
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The Alabama Crimson Tide are set for a massive home game against the Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday.
Alabama and Georgia are two of the top teams in the country, and whoever wins could very well be considered the team to beat. The Crimson Tide made a statement on the road against the Mississippi State Bulldogs last week, and a big reason why is the play of star quarterback Keelon Russell.
Russell is in his first season as the starting quarterback at Alabama, and he’s already in the Heisman conversation. He served as the third-stringer last season to Ty Simpson and Austin Mack, and ended up beating out Mack this year.
Russell has a great arm and is very poised, and he can also extend plays with his legs. He’s also impressed legendary Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban.
“The maturity that Keelon Russell plays with is phenomenal to me..
He’s a play-maker and he knows when to scramble..
He has special instincts and this Alabama team has really come together” ~ Coach Saban #PMSLivepic.twitter.com/zYYEawljtt
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) October 9, 2026
“First of all, you know, Keon Russell, the maturity that he plays with, and he shows for a guy that’s a young player who’s only started in, what, four or five games now, is pretty phenomenal to me, and his instincts as a player and his ability to make plays, he is a playmaker,” Saban said on The Pat McAfee Show on Friday.
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Russell is still developing and is young at the position, but he’s already exceeding expectations. He’s only had a handful of starts, which is why Saban is so impressed with him.
This season, Russell has thrown for 1,414 yards, 11 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. He’s also rushed for 184 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Keelon Russell Draws Comparison to Bryce Young
Not only did Saban praise Russell, but he also compared him to another former Crimson Tide quarterback.
Saban compared Russell to former Alabama quarterback Bryce Young with the way he plays, and how he knwos when to scramble.
“I always thought Bryce Young a point guard playing quarterback,” Saban said. “This guy is very similar. Knows when to scramble, keeps his eyes downfield, makes plays, running it, throwing it, extending plays. So this is a guy that has special instincts and really I always say processing is the most important thing for the quarterback.
“This guy can do that very well, and he can extend plays. And 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 that he’s been here, because this team has really come together, I think, in a positive way.”
Young won a Heisman Trophy at Alabama in his first college season, and Russell could very well follow. He also went on to be the first overall pick in the NFL Draft, which Russell could be in 2028.
Ultimately, it’s high praise from Saban to Russell, but this game against Georgia will be very telling to see if the young quarterback is the real deal.
Related: 2026 CFB Week 4 Top 25: Lindy’s Sports Official Updated Rankings
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This story was originally published by Lindys Sports on Oct 9, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Lindys Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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