Nick Sheridan calls out ‘rare’ quality Keelon Russell has shown in first fall camp
By Mark Kern
Published:
Alabama quarterbacks coach Nick Sheridan has been impressed with true freshman quarterback Keelon Russell during fall camp.
Russell, who is vying for the starting QB job alongside Ty Simpson and Austin Mack, was the No. 2 rated player in the 2025 class according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.
As the quarterback battle continues on, Sheridan said that Russell has a rare quality that not many quarterbacks have.
“He loves football, so he loves learning each and every day,” Sheridan said Monday, via AL.com. “I think one of the special qualities he has for a young player is his ability to move onto the next play. He doesn’t get discouraged, if or when mistakes happen. Which they all happen for young players. He’s got a really short term memory in that regard.”
Being able to move on to the next play is one of the most important abilities that a quarterback can have. For Russell being able to show that trait this early into training camp is definitely a positive sign for the Crimson Tide. Another thing Sheridan likes is that Russell does a great job of balancing confidence and humility.
“He certainly has that, and that’s a credit to both of his parents in how he was raised,” Sheridan said. “Just his confidence in himself, he’s got a great balance of confidence and humility that’s pretty rare and pretty special that way. For a young player, that’s been great to see.”
Sheridan is getting ready for his second season in Tuscaloosa. He spent time with coach Kalen DeBoer at Washington, and has worked with some talented quarterbacks early in his coaching career.
Alabama will open the 2025 season with Florida State on Aug. 30.
