Earlier this month, class of 2025 four-star quarterback prospect Keelon Russell committed to the Alabama football program. On Thursday, Russell took home MVP honors at the 2024 Elite 11 over the likes of Tavien St. Clair (Ohio State), Husan Longstreet (Texas A&M), and Ryan Montgomery (Georgia). Russell joins an exclusive list of Elite 11 MVP winners and will have his expectations elevated for his tenure in Tuscaloosa. However, one media member from the Louisiana area believes Russell’s achievement on Thursday does little, if anything, for his future stock.
Following the announcement that Russell would receive the Elite 11 MVP honors, Matt Moscona of ESPN Baton Rouge took to Twitter (also known as X) to downplay the future Alabama football player’s achievement. Moscona listed 14 of the previous 22 Elite 11 MVPs or co-MVPs, many of which failed to live up to expectations at the collegiate level, as a reason for Alabama fans to temper expectations.
ESPN Baton Rouge Personality: Takes Shot at Alabama Football
ESPN personality Matt Moscona is the number one public enemy of Alabama football fans. On Thursday, he tweeted in an apparent sarcastic tone, saying, “I’d like to congratulate Bama fans on your QB commit’s Elite 11 MVP. What an honor!” Moscona then went on to list numerous former Elite 11 MVPs who failed to make a substantial impact at the FBS level. Among those listed by Moscona are Kyle Wright, Rhett Bomar, Jake Heaps, Tanner Mangum, Neal Burcham, Asiantii Woulard, Sean White, and Blake Barnett. Notably, Wright threw for 38 touchdowns against 31 interceptions in four years at Miami, while Barnett, a former Alabama commit, played sparingly in his lone season with the Crimson Tide.
I'd like to congratulate Bama fans on your QB commit's Elite 11 MVP. What an honor! He joins past Elite MVP winners who went on to have amazing college careers such as:
Julian Sayin (who left you high and dry)
Cade Klubnik
Spencer Rattler
Shea Patterson
Blake Barnett (Bama…— Matt Moscona (@MattMoscona) June 20, 2024
Moscona also references 2023 Elite 11 MVP Julian Sayin, who left Alabama this offseason for Ohio State. However, Moscona should have referenced past MVPs who went on to have decorated college careers. Among those to win Elite 11 MVP honors and post incredible college football statistics are former Alabama gunslingers Brodie Croyle and Tua Tagovailoa, ex-USC star Mark Sanchez, future Super Bowl champion Matthew Stafford, longtime Georgia star Aaron Murray, 2013 national champ Jameis Winston, Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams, past Ohio State star Justin Fields, and current Houston Texans budding superstar C.J. Stroud
Keelon Russell: Headed to Alabama Crimson Tide
Keelon Russell, the seventh-ranked quarterback in the class of 2025 per 247Sports, committed to the Alabama Crimson Tide earlier this month. He also holds offers from Florida, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, and UCLA, among others. Russell currently plays at Duncanville High School in Duncanville, Texas. With Russell under center, Duncanville posted a 14-1 record en route to their second-straight Texas 6A D-1 state title last season. Russell dominated the competition, throwing for 3,483 yards with 38 touchdowns against three interceptions. He completed 72% of his passes. He also tallied 2,377 yards with 22 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 2022.
Andrew Ivins, director of scouting at 247Sports, praises Russell, calling him an “elite playmaker for the quarterback position that can beat defenses with his arm and legs.” Ivins also says Russell “should be viewed as one of the more exciting signal callers in the 2025 cycle.
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