Keelon Russell Credits 7-Time Super Bowl-Winning QB as Inspiration
The Alabama Crimson Tide football program knows a thing or two about winning.
Since hiring Nick Saban as their head coach in 2007, Alabama boasts a remarkable 215-33 record, with 24 bowl appearances and an even more impressive six national championships.
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In comparison, the only team in modern sports that comes close to Alabama's run of dominance is the New England Patriots of the past two and a half decades. In that span, the AFC East club has secured six Super Bowls wins. Notably, their quarterback, Tom Brady, left New England and went on to collect a seventh Super Bowl victory with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Alabama quarterback Keelon Russel (12).© Gary Cosby-Imagn Images
Naturally, it makes all the sense in the world that five-star freshman and Alabama passer Keelon Russell has taken a liking to Brady as he gets ready to begin his college career.
"A coach told me Tom would study film all night and sleep in the film room. That's one of the things that I take away from him," said Russell during an interview with Men's Health Magazine.
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Russell is on the cover of the next Men's Health Magazine edition, with the catalog pushing a campaign towards "Gen Z," according to Charlie Potter of On3.
Russell also pointed at Brady's unique NFL journey as motivation. A sixth-round pick in 2000, Brady stepped in for the Patriots after an injury to starting quarterback Drew Bledsoe.
Brady would lead the Pats to an 11-3 regular season record before embarking on an undefeated postseason and his first Super Bowl victory. Brady never looked back, winning five more championships with New England before snagging a seventh ring with the Bucs in 2020.
As for Russell, he will join Alabama this fall as one of their highest recruits in program history. He will likely serve as a backup to fellow passer Ty Simpson in year one, but head coach Kalen DeBoer could look to play Russell in certain packages.
Related: Star SEC QB Praises Alabama Following Controversial Thomas Castellanos' Comments
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 26, 2025, where it first appeared.
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