It’s the week of the Elite 11 finals, and Alabama will be well-represented in Los Angeles by Keelon Russell, one of the 20 quarterbacks from across the nation invited to this prestigious event.
Keelon Russell, a four-star quarterback from Duncanville High School in Texas, recently made headlines by switching his commitment from SMU to Alabama shortly after an official visit to Tuscaloosa this summer. He detailed his reasons for the switch, emphasizing the strong relationships he built with the coaches, players, and recruits at Alabama, describing them all as “terrific” in an interview with Bama247.
Russell has been a standout performer in the last two seasons, leading Duncanville to consecutive Texas 6A Division 1 state titles and amassing an impressive 29-1 record. As a junior, he completed 72% of his passes for 3,842 yards, with 38 touchdowns and only three interceptions. He also rushed for 361 yards and six touchdowns. His sophomore season was equally impressive, with a 66% completion rate, 2,377 passing yards, 22 touchdowns, nine interceptions, and an additional 203 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
Bama247 is currently counting down the top 25 most important players for Alabama in 2024, a list compiled by their team, including Alex Scarborough, Mike Rodak, Cody Goodwin, and Kirk McNair. This list focuses on the players deemed most crucial to Alabama’s success in the upcoming season, not necessarily the best 25 players on the roster.
The pressure that accompanies a five-star recruit status can be immense, often requiring immediate performance at the college level. Some recruits, like 2023’s top-ranked safety Caleb Downs, meet these expectations right away, while others, such as quarterback Dante Moore, take longer to develop. Moore, for instance, lost his starting position at UCLA and is now refining his skills as a backup at Oregon.
The 2024 season offers many opportunities for last year’s top freshmen to make significant impacts. Not all will seize these chances, but many are poised to establish themselves as future NFL stars. Spring practices have provided insights into which blue-chip recruits are likely to climb their team’s depth charts and make a national impact in the coming season.
Here’s a look at some notable five-star recruits from the 2023 class and their status as they head into their sophomore seasons:
32. Vic Burley (DL, Clemson):** Burley missed the entire 2023 season due to a knee injury sustained in fall camp. He is currently recovering from surgery and aims to make a comeback in his sophomore year.
31. Rueben Owens (RB, Texas A&M):** Owens carried the ball 101 times last year but remains a secondary option behind projected starter Le’Veon Moss.
30. CJ Baxter (RB, Texas):** Despite the depth in Texas’ backfield, Baxter is a strong candidate to become the featured back, showing significant potential late last season.
29. Joenel Aguero (S, Georgia):** Aguero is expected to start at Georgia’s slot corner spot in 2024 after participating in 12 games mainly on special teams as a freshman.
28. Yhonzae Pierre (EDGE, Alabama):** With the departure of NFL-bound pass rushers Dallas Turner and Chris Braswell, Pierre faces a challenging path to a starting role but is likely to be a key rotational player.
27. A.J. Harris (CB, Penn State via Georgia):** Harris, the No. 2 cornerback in the 2024 transfer cycle, is projected to start in Penn State’s pass defense after an impressive spring camp.
26. Da’Shawn Womack (EDGE, LSU):** Known for his timely plays on third downs last season, Womack’s development into a consistent outside linebacker and edge rusher is vital for LSU’s success in 2024.
25. J’Ven Williams (OT, Penn State):** Williams saw limited action as a freshman but took first-team reps this spring and is expected to be in the rotation, though Drew Shelton remains the projected starter.
24. Hykeem Williams (WR, Florida State):** With the departure of their top two receivers to the NFL, Williams has a high ceiling and the potential for a breakout season after catching five passes as a freshman.
20. Samson Okunlola (OT, Miami):** Okunlola has bulked up by 27 pounds this spring and, following a freshman season cut short by injury, could start at either right tackle or left guard.
19. Duce Robinson (TE, USC):** Balancing football with his role as a USC baseball player, Robinson’s future seems brighter on the gridiron, where he will be a key part of the Trojans’ offense after a 351-yard freshman campaign.
18. Jurrion Dickey (WR, Oregon):** Despite Oregon’s deep receiving corps, Dickey is a notable talent and is expected to be a significant contributor in the competition for targets.
As these players gear up for the 2024 season, the anticipation builds to see which ones will emerge as the next big stars in college football, solidifying their paths to the NFL and potentially making game-changing impacts for their respective teams.
