2025 Alabama QB commit Keelon Russell shared love for Cam Newton when he was asked who he'd start a lineup with. The $1.2 million NIL-valuated QB claimed Newton brought "swag" back to the position.
“Imma say, Cam Newton, Patrick Mahomes, Peyton Manning, Lamar Jackson, last one Imma say, Tom Brady," Russell said on SportsCenter, per Pro Football Network.
“I feel like (Cam's) the only quarterback that’s [brought the] swag to the quarterback position. I feel like you gotta respect bringing the swag to the quarterback position.”
Newton responded back "love" to Russell on social media in his classic unconventional font.
Tiger fans may be perturbed by Newton being on better terms with Russell than 2025 Auburn commit Deuce Knight, who he voiced out against wearing the No. 2.
"It's a f*** no for me. I like Deuce, played against him. But in this day and age bro, everything is earned. And what you did in high school, no one gives a f*** in college. I really hope that you're good. I really hope that you stay at Auburn. I really hope that you can do everything that you're going to say as an avid, diehard Auburn fan," Newton said on his "4th&1" podcast.
"It's easier said than done, bro. Like win the locker room first. F*** numbers. F*** entitlement. F*** all that s***. Bro, win a game. Because the quarterback play over the years at Auburn has been egregious. It's been satanic. It's been something that I can't even watch."
Newton will always support Auburn, but he hasn't seem overly excited about the program's direction in a long time. Gus Malzahn was his offensive coordinator, so the connection was stronger there. But Bryan Harsin didn't and Hugh Freeze doesn't have his attention in the same way by any stretch.
That love for Russell doesn't indicate much, it just stings given the entirety of the circumstances.