What did Trevon Diggs tell the Alabama-bound National Player of the Year?

Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs handed Duncanville High School quarterback Keelon Russell the 2024 Gatorade National Football Player of the Year Award on Tuesday.

Duncanville is about 40 miles south of the NFL team’s headquarters in Frisco, Texas, and the former Alabama standout made the trip to meet the quarterback who signed earlier this month to play for the Crimson Tide.

Diggs and the Cowboys have four more games remaining on their regular-season schedule while Russell and Duncanville have reached the semifinals of the University Interscholastic League Class 6A Division I playoffs. In the highest classification of high school football in Texas, the undefeated Panthers will square off against undefeated North Crowley on Saturday for a spot in the state-championship game.

“This is a great opportunity,” Diggs told Russell. “You worked hard, for sure. Putting your head down, working hard, you see where it got you, so I just want you to keep that same mindset, especially going into college. Keep your head down, work, don’t worry about nothing, focus on you and make sure you get that work done.”

ALABAMA FOOTBALL SIGNEE KEELON RUSSELL WINS GATORADE NATIONAL PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Six winners of the award have gone on to become first-round selections in the NFL Draft. Diggs indicated he expected to be playing against Russell in the pros.

“You’re a great player,” Diggs said. “That’s a great award. You’re going to go far. I’m going to see you soon.”

The award announcement came on Wednesday with Russell selected over the other two finalists, running back Alvin Henderson of Elba High School and offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell of Nixa (Missouri) High School.

Russell signed with Alabama on Dec. 4, the first day of the early signing period for the 2025 recruiting class.

After meeting a future Alabama quarterback, Diggs will play against a former Crimson Tide quarterback when the Cowboys take on Bryce Young and the Carolina Panthers at noon CST Sunday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.