Russell shared on his social media accounts that he signed an exclusive multi-year trading card contract with Panini America as his first NIL deal.

Prediction on Jan. 7: Ty Simpson will win Alabama starting quarterback job at start of 2025 season. Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer for AL.com and the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X and Instagram.

Alabama Crimson Tide five-star quarterback recruit Keelon Russell needs to be more cautious about what he shares on social media. And more importantly, extra safe on the road. The 17-year-old Keelon Russell previously committed to the SMU Mustangs before announcing that he was instead flipping to Alabama.

Crimson Tide’s freshman quarterback signee Keelon Russell lands a major NIL deal with Panini America just days after arriving in Tuscaloosa, signaling big things ahead for the top prospect of the 2025 class.

Future Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell has kicked off 2025 in a major way. Not only has the reigning Gatorade National High School Player of the Year already enrolled in school to get a head start on potentially replacing Jalen Milroe as the Crimson Tide's next signal caller,