Kalen DeBoer evaluates Keelon Russell’s first half against East Carolina
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
Kalen DeBoer’s pick for QB1 at Alabama ended up being Keelon Russell. The redshirt freshman and former five-star recruit beat out veteran Austin Mack for the Crimson Tide’s starting role.
Russell, in his first career start, was impressive in the first half. He threw for 182 yards and completed 11 of his 17 passes. But he showcased his running ability, too. He went into the locker room as Alabama’s leading rusher with nine carries for 54 yards. One of those was a three-yard touchdown that put the Tide up 38-7 before the break.
“He’s a playmaker,” Kalen DeBoer told ESPN’s Stormy Buonantony at halftime. “There’s just a lot of little things he can clean up, but he goes out there and makes plays. Guys around him are doing a good job of helping him too.”
Russell’s dual-threat capabilities are sure to cause headaches for opposing defenses, too, as he demonstrated in the opening two quarters. It’s sure to be a continued point of development for DeBoer and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb.
“Their eyes are on him, so that helps. He’s got to use that to his advantage and our advantage. Good fakes, things like that. When he gets outside the pocket, he puts a lot of pressure on the defense, too,” DeBoer said.
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.
