Keelon Russell 'OK with waiting my turn' as Alabama football starting QB

LOS ANGELES — Just keep attacking. Just keep stacking days.

It's the mindset Alabama football quarterback Keelon Russell has carried throughout his freshman season with the Crimson Tide, one that saw his first collegiate playing time, but one spent primarily with the second- and third-team offense with eyes set firmly on the future.

To Russell, that's the "amazing" part of his first season at Alabama. He's learned so much from quarterbacks Ty Simpson, "the best quarterback in college football," and Austin Mack, from offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb and quarterbacks coach Nick Sheridan.

But Russell knows that through the learning, through the growth, he's already gained trust.

"I'm most definitely OK with waiting my turn. I mean, we're here right now. I have been waiting my turn," Russell told The Tuscaloosa News. "I wouldn't say there's no pressure. If I was to get thrown in there, I'd be ready. I feel like coach Grubb and coach Sheridan 100% believe in me. Even coach (Kalen) DeBoer believes in me."

Russell has not been stagnant. He's watched. He's observed. And he's realized what type of quarterback it takes to be successful in the SEC.

In two games against Louisiana Monroe and Eastern Illinois, Russell has completed 11 of 15 pass attempts for 143 yards and two touchdowns.

Russell knows what is on the horizon. He knows there could be a quarterback battle in 2026 ahead, depending on Simpson's decision about the NFL draft.

But Russell already knows his mindset ahead of a potential battle.

"Just to work hard," Russell said. "I have a spot to earn, but just to keep working hard... We're working on winning a national championship right now, but my mindset is to keep working hard every day, wake up with the motivation to go at and attack another day. If it's a practice, if it's a game, just go attack it, what I got to get one day."

Keep attacking. Keep stacking days.

Alabama played Indiana in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the 2026 Rose Bowl at 3:10 p.m. CT Thursday, Jan. 1.

Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at [email protected] or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter. 

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Keelon Russell 'OK with waiting my turn' as Alabama starting quarterback