The Gatorade Texas Football Player of the Year for 2024–25 is Duncanville High School’s Keelon Russell (Source: Duncanville High School).
Duncanville, Texas:The Gatorade National Player of the Year award went to Keelon Russell, the quarterback for Duncanville High School. The 6-foot-4, 180-pound senior quarterback passed for 3,652 yards and 52 touchdowns with just two interceptions last season, leading the Panthers (12-0) to the 6A Division I state quarterfinals. Russell averaged 12.7 yards per attempt and completed 71.5 percent of his attempts. In 12 games, he also ran for 254 yards and two touchdowns.
In addition, he belongs to the National Honor Society of Duncanville. Russell kept his grade point average in the classroom at 3.4.
He read to children at Oak Cliff’s Uplift Pinnacle, a public charter school, after receiving the major prize. He participates in the Champions for Literacy initiative. His State Championship rings and other equipment were shown to the children.
Additionally, he is collecting funds to help with literacy initiatives, such as purchasing books for pupils. “I want the kids to be confident,” he stated.
Russell remarked, “You build off what you are doing,” “When you’re confident, you set high standards for yourself. When you approach each objective with assurance, you will achieve success.
Next season, Russell will be a member of the University of Alabama football team.
This weekend is a crucial game for Duncanville. against Saturday, they will take against North Crowley in the State semifinals.
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Claude Mathis, the head coach of DeSoto High School, stated, “Russell is dangerous with the ball in his hand, he can hurt you in so many ways.” He was constantly searching downfield during the scramble drill to make something happen, and I felt that he kept plays alive much better this year. Because he can run and throw, which is a deadly combo, he is effective.
In its 40th year, Gatorade Player of the Year has recognized the best high school athletes in the country.
Russell is the first Duncanville High School athlete to ever win the honor.
The nation’s top high school players are recognized for their achievements on the field, in the classroom, and in the community with the Gatorade Player of the Year award, the highest accolade in high school athletics.
In addition to being named the top high school football player in Texas, Russell has been chosen as a finalist for the prestigious Gatorade National Football Player of the Year award, which will be given out in December.
Russell’s nomination brings him into the company of notable alumni, including CEOs, coaches, and elite athletes like DJ Lagway (2023-24, Willis High School, Texas), Peyton Manning (1993-94, Isidore Newman School, La.), and Emmitt Smith (1986-87, Escambia High School, Fl.). He also joins the state’s roster of previous award recipients, which includes Sawyer Robertson (2020–21, Coronado High School), Cade Klubnik (2021–22, Westlake High School), Jackson Arnold (2022–23, Guyer High School), and DJ Lagway (2023–24, Willis High School), who was just named the Gatorade Texas Football Player of the Year.
Football, girls volleyball, boys and girls cross-country, boys and girls basketball, boys and girls soccer, baseball, softball, and boys and girls track & field are among the 12 high school sports in which the Gatorade Player of the Year program honors one winner each year in the District of Columbia and each of the 50 states. Additionally, one National Player of the Year is awarded in each of these sports.
Each Player of the Year also receives a donation to donate to a social impact partner as part of Gatorade’s mission to dismantle barriers in sports. More than 2,000 groups have received grants totaling more than $5.6 million from the Gatorade Player of the Year program to far.
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This article contains information from Duncanville High School, Gatorade, and Steven Dial of FOX 4.
This article contains information from Duncanville High School, Gatorade, and Steven Dial of FOX 4.
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