Why Keelon Russell Is Ahead of the Game

Click here to discover the other 24 athletes in the Men’s Health 25, a celebration of the top athletes in the high school class of 2025.

HE’S A FIVE-STAR recruit, but Keelon Russell’s football life didn’t take off until his sophomore year. That’s when the quarterback led Duncanville High School to a Texas state championship. He did it again his junior year, then attended various quarterback camps, winning MVP honors at the Elite 11 Finals because of his arm strength, accuracy, and decision-making. “It made me gain so much confidence,” he says. “I was like, ‘Okay, yeah, I can see myself at the big leagues with the big fellas.’ ” The next season, he completed 69 percent of his passes, throwing for 4,177 yards as he was named the 2024-2025 Gatorade National Football Player of the Year. He was recruited by every major college and committed to Alabama, to play for head coach Kalen DeBoer, a renowned quarterback whisperer.

Although Russell has all the attributes of a modern quarterback—he’s big, accurate, and speedy—he very much wants to be known as the kind of QB who outfoxes his opponents before the ball is even snapped. He models his mental game on Tom Brady’s. “We all know he was a sixth-round pick, didn’t nobody believe in him—now he’s one of the greatest of all time. It gives me that drive—it touches my heart.” Russell, who spent the spring in Alabama, then returned to graduate, is going deep on film study. “A coach told me Tom would study film all night, sleep in the film room. That’s one of the things that I take away from him.” Here’s what else helps Russell elevate his game.

How much time do you spend training? “Thirty hours a week: 10 hours of actual team practice, then gym time and film study.” Check out his moves and others in the MH25 Strength and Bounce Workout.

What do you focus on? “Strength is important, but we are very strategic about doing moves that support my throwing motion. We do a lot of lats work—pullups, rows, deadlifts—because lats are the big thing for quarterbacks because they can prevent injuries.”

Frenemy exercise? “Hip-mobility drills. I know I have to do them, but they’re boring.”

Hype music? “Lil Baby. If it’s game day, a workout, or I’m just going to throw, he gets me in that mode.”

Dream workout partner? “Prime [Deion Sanders] in his prime. Cam Newton. Aaron Rodgers. And of course the wide receivers—Stefon Diggs, Ja’Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson.”

Fast-food order? “Two McDonald’s Hot ‘n Spicy McChickens, large fries, and milkshake.”

Last book you read? “My Bible app. Read scripture every day.”

How is your generation of athletes different? “For quarterbacks, we have some sick athletes. We don’t have no more Ben Roethlisberger or Tom Brady. Now, we’re willing to get out of the pocket and run more.”

Does social media inspire you or stress you out? “It doesn’t impact my performance. I ball my ball, you know what I’m saying? It’s ups and downs as a quarterback, and you’re going to get a lot of grease from a lot of people.”

What have you sacrificed? “I remember I was on concussion protocol one week. I said, ‘Screw that.’ Went out and threw five touchdowns. I’d sacrifice everything to help my team win. It’s a dedication thing to where you got to be dedicated to do this every single day, every hour of the day.”

Have you splurged on anything with that NIL money? “My mom and dad are real strict. I’m not a flashy person. I ain’t even got no jewelry on. Just clothes and shoes, you know? Very simple things.”

Click here to discover the other 24 athletes in the Men’s Health 25, a celebration of the top athletes in the high school class of 2025.

This story appears in the July/August 2025 issue of Men’s Health.

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Andrew Lawrence is a freelance writer, and has written for Sports Illustrated, The Guardian, The Atlantic, The Athletic, The Dallas Morning News, the Associated Press, Fortune, Southern Living, Austin Monthly, Complex, Cookie, Bet.com, ESPN.com and The Classical. It is based in Beaufort, South Carolina.