Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Alabama QB Keelon Russell compares freshman WR to DeVonta Smith

Originally posted on Touchdown Alabama Magazine
By Justin Smith | Last updated Mar 17, 2025 2:05 PM ET

Alabama football’s freshman quarterback, Keelon Russell is impressed with what he has seen from the Tide’s first-year wide receiver, Lotzeir Brooks.

Brooks and Russell are both early enrollees for the Crimson Tide as the duo are both going through spring practice with Alabama. Russell feels Brooks is the type of wide receiver every quarterback would like to have.

“He’s phenomenal,” Russell said while taking with Max Wolborsky. “He’s very acrobatic. He can catch a ball in any place that you put it at, which makes it a lot easier. He has that type of talent. He has that mindset that ‘the person in front of me, the DB that’s gonna be in front of me, he can’t guard me.’ He’s fast. He’s like a DeVonte Smith.”

Who has stood out to @Pres1dential at @AlabamaFTBL spring practice thus far?

A pair of freshmen: WR Lotzier Brooks (@DThrul) + DB Dijon Lee (@Dijon_leeJr)

On Brooks: “Very acrobatic…makes QBs job easier…he’s like a @DeVontaSmith_6 all over again.” pic.twitter.com/yg483T4ZIX

— Max Wolborsky (@maxwolborsky) March 17, 2025

Russell is not the only Alabama player, who has been impressed with Brooks. The Tide’s defensive back, Bray Hubbard complimented Brooks’ shiftiness during the first week of spring practice.

“Lotzeir Brooks, he’s doing really great,” Hubbard said. “That dude’s fast. He’s hard to keep up with. I will say, I ain’t even gonna lie. Hard to keep up with him.”

Brooks put together one of the best high school careers the state of New Jersey had ever seen before bringing his talents to Tuscaloosa. He finished his time at Millville High School as the state’s all-time leader in receiving touchdowns.

This article first appeared on Touchdown Alabama Magazine and was syndicated with permission.

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