Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell named Gatorade National Football Player of the Year.
Alabama signee and 5-star QB Keelon Russell was named the 2024-25 Gatorade National Football Player of the Year on Wednesday, the most prestigious individual award in high school football.
Alabama quarterback signee Keelon Russell was honored as the 2024-25 Gatorade National Player of the Year on Wednesday. After being named a finalist last week, Russell edged out Auburn signee Alvin Henderson and high school junior Jackson Cantwell to claim the prestigious award.
Russell is the first Alabama football signee to receive the accolade, which has been awarded annually for the past 40 years to the nation’s top high school football player. He also becomes the first player from Duncanville High School to earn the distinction.
Russell experienced a remarkable rise during his senior year of high school. Initially a three-star recruit, he committed to Alabama after flipping from SMU. He went on to win MVP honors at the Elite 11 competition and had an outstanding senior season, ultimately earning five-star status and climbing to No. 2 in the 247Sports Composite rankings.
On Tuesday, Russell was surprised with the award at his high school by former Alabama defensive back and current Dallas Cowboy Trevon Diggs, who presented it at the conclusion of Russell’s football practice.
Previous winners of the prestigious award include NFL legends such as Peyton Manning and Emmitt Smith. Last year’s recipient, DJ Lagway, made an immediate impact as a freshman with the Florida Gators—something Russell will undoubtedly aim to replicate when he joins the Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa.
