Alabama commit Keelon Russell ready to compete against the nation's best at Elite 11 Finals

Duncanville (Texas) High On300 quarterback and Alabama bound passer Keelon Russell will compete on the national stage this week at the Elite 11 Finals in the Los Angeles area.

The 6-foot-3 1/4, 182-pound Russell is one of 20 passers set to take part in the prestigious event. He aims to win the competition.

“I say competing against the best excites me,” Russell said. “Getting to learn from others but also being able to get the job done and take it home.”

The 2024 Elite 11 Finals will bring together top performers to receive advanced, one-on-one quarterback instruction in a highly competitive setting. The 2024 Elite 11 Finals will span three days and include on-field drills, competition, classroom instruction and off-field development.  The 2024 Elite 11, and 2024 Elite 11 MVP, will be named at the conclusion of the Elite 11 Finals.

“I watched the Julian Sayin one and the Quinn Ewers and Trevor Lawrence,” Russell said. “Means a lot for me and my future being one of the best but the job is not finished.

“Thriving for better.”

Tabbed by the On3 Industry as the nation’s No. 8 quarterback and No. 57 prospect overall, Russell committed to the Crimson Tide on June 4. He feels the Elite 11 will help prepare him for the jump from high school to college.

“Means a lot as I’m wanting to come in there to be the best quarterback ever from Bama so it starts here,” Russell said.

The Crimson Tide program checked every box for Russell.

“It’s a place of development,” Russell said. “They put you in the NFL. And the competition around you makes it NFL ready and it’s the best of the best.”

Russell is coming off as good a season any high school quarterback had in the country, leading Duncanville to a Lone Star State Championship in the largest class. Many would say that’s the best high school competition in America, and Russell completed over 74 percent of his attempts for 3,267 yards and 35 touchdowns to just three interceptions. He added another 304 yards rushing and four more scores.