Kalen DeBoer Comments On 2025 Recruiting Class

Tuscaloosa, AL - Early Signing Day is wrapping up, and Alabama currently sits with the No. 3 consensus recruiting class according to 247 Sports and On3 Sports. Players have signed their letters of intent and are now members of the Alabama football team, meaning Coach DeBoer can now speak about the signees legally.

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DeBoer lit up like a Christmas tree talking about this year's signing class for Alabama. While the No. 3 class is impressive in and of itself, it is even more impressive with DeBoer and the Crimson Tide not having a full staff until mid-March, during the open contact period for recruiting.

DeBoer was not asked about everyone, but he was asked about the defensive back haul of Dijon Lee, Chuck McDonald, and Ivan Taylor, as well as linebacker Justin Hill, quarterback Keelon Russell, and offensive tackle Jackson Lloyd.

DeBoer mentioned Alabama addressing multiple needy areas on the team, "Felt like we addressed a lot of needs. Guys that, also on top of their positions, just really love football," DeBoer said. "I feel good that we're in a good spot. We have an idea of where we need to go in the weeks ahead in the portal."

DeBoer mentioned four-star wolf linebacker Justin Hill, calling him a "special, special player." "We're excited about what he's gonna bring from a dynamic standpoint to the Wolf position."

On the defensive back trio of five-star Dijon Lee and four-stars Ivan Taylor and Chuck McDonald, "These are the guys. These are the guys who were priorities from the beginning... These are just extremely high-character guys. They just get after it."

On Jackson Lloyd, "The guy is an athlete. You've got this big body, you've got this athlete and then you've got the mindset."

The crown jewel of the class is the No. 2 overall player according to composite and five-star quarterback Keelon Russell.

"There’s eyes that we have and feelings that we have when you watch the film that are one thing and it jumps out at you,” DeBoer said. “But I think there’s other details that we saw on the film that when we saw him in person were verified when the coaching staff went out in the spring to see him. And it’s like, ‘Wow, this guy is what we think, and these little nuances that we think are special definitely are.' As the summer went along, everyone else started to see that, as well. And now, you see the production this fall, it’s on another level.”

“There’s a swagger about him,” DeBoer said. “There’s a confidence about him. He’s helped become a major part of bringing and keeping this class together, which is what you want out of any leader, especially these key guys, but especially your quarterback.

“He’s just having a great championship run there with his high school. So excited about what he brings. And he’s got the arm talent, just accurate, can throw with different slots and all that kind of stuff. And then also just the ability as an athlete to make plays with his feet, too. Just an added dimension there.”

Russell has passed for 3,652 yards this far in his senior season of high school football, adding 52 touchdowns and only two interceptions according to MaxPreps. The 6-foot-3, 175-pound quarterback averages 304.3 passing yards per game while completing 71.5% of his passes. He has led the Duncanville Panthers to a 12-0 record so far this season.

Alabama's 2025 Early Signing Day may not be over yet. Derek Meadows is set to sign later on Wednesday evening, and there is a lot of buzz about his commitment to LSU, with both Michigan and Alabama pushing hard late for the four-star receiver from Bishop Gorman High School in Nevada.