Alabama Five Star Plus+ QB signee Keelon Russell inks NIL representation

Signing Five Star Plus+ QB Keelon Russell was an important recruiting win for Kalen DeBoer and Alabama. He’s a focal point of the Crimson Tide’s 2025 class, which ranks as one of the best in the nation after the Early Signing Period.

Russell is also one of the most notable names in this year’s cycle. He’s now looking to set himself up for success in the NIL space by signing representation.

Russell officially signed with Team IFA on Wednesday, the agency announced. Founded in 2009 by Blake Baratz, Team IFA provides NIL representation for more than 25 athletes at the college and high school football levels. Its list of NFL clients also includes the Washington Commanders’ Jonathan Allen and the Carolina Panthers’ Adam Thielen, among others.

“Anyone that knows me knows how important family is to me and all the people that make up IFA have quickly become an extension of my family,” Russell said in a statement. “I am excited to be a part of everything they do and I look forward to working with and growing my relationship with them for many years!”

Keelon Russell primed for NIL success at college level

The 2025 Gatorade National Football Player of the Year, Keelon Russell is the highest-rated player in Alabama’s recruiting class, which currently sits at No. 4 in the country, according to the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Ranking.

As a Five Star Plus+ prospect, Russell is one of the only players ranked by all four major recruiting media companies as a five-star. The Duncanville (TX) product is the No. 2 overall player from the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Russell signed with the Crimson Tide on National Signing Day after flipping his commitment from SMU in June and is expected to enroll early at Alabama, BOL previously reported. He is also preparing to play in the Under Armour Next All-America Game on Jan. 2.

“Keelon is the definition of a true leader,” Baratz said in a statement. “Whether he’s leading his team to state championships or being a champion for literacy in the community, he is always looking at the bigger picture. He is a special young man and clearly possesses all the characteristics and intangibles that we look for in all of our IFA clients.”

Russell also has plenty of NIL potential as he gets ready to start his college career. He has an On3 NIL Valuation of $1.2 million, which ranks No. 3 in the high school football NIL rankings and No. 58 in the On3 NIL 100, the first of its kind and defacto NIL ranking of the top 100 high school and college athletes ranked by their On3 NIL Valuation.