With Jalen Milroe declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft, Alabama faces a major vacancy at quarterback next season. Redshirt junior Ty Simpson is expected to take the starting role but will likely face competition from incoming freshman Keelon Russell, ranked No. 2 in the 2025 recruiting class by On3. Russell recently secured an NIL representation deal with Team IFA and signed a multi-year partnership with Panini America, a top sports collectibles brand. Speaking at the Panini Prizm VIP lounge in New Orleans ahead of Super Bowl LIX, Russell shared his early experiences with NIL in an interview with Nick Schultz of On3.
“The most important advice I received was to be aware of what’s coming my way,” Russell said. “Recognize that your profile and name are uniquely yours. Building and maintaining that identity is key, especially as the NIL landscape continues to expand.”
“The capabilities of these platforms are becoming much more advanced. NIL can sometimes take attention away from football, but someone advised me to stay focused on the essentials,” Russell said. On3 estimates his NIL valuation at $1.7 million, placing him 35th in their NIL 100 rankings.
“NIL is a great opportunity,” he added. “But if you focus on what truly matters, the NIL deals will follow. Everything will come in time. Prioritize football, and the NIL space will take care of itself. Your profile is your own—perform well, and it will continue to grow.”
Russell, a Duncanville, Texas native, committed to Alabama in June 2024 and officially joined the university last month.
Leave a Reply