JaMarcus Russe Top 1

A large number of people like the Auburn staff did with Jason Campbell, LSU coaches patiently waited for Russell to develop. Their patience paid off in 2005, as Russell wrested the starting job away from Matt Flynn. Most experts now regard Russell as the most physically gifted quarterback to wear the LSU uniform. The talented junior has what many believe is the strongest arm in college football. He can throw the ball the length of the field and put on an impressive performance prior to the 2006 Sugar Bowl. while seated on the turf, he threw the ball 40 yards. Under the guidance of offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher, Russell developed a keen understanding of the game and clock management. He went on to compile a 25-4 record as a starter, the third-best record by a starting quarterback in school history. Russell and his favorite target, receiver Dwayne Bowe, combined to become the most prolific pass-catch scoring tandem in school history. The duo connected on 23 touchdowns. Russell leaves LSU as the school's second-ranked passer with a 61.86 completion percentage and 52 touchdown passes. He is just the third player in school history to throw for more than 6,000 yards in his career and the first to lead the team to at least 10 victories in consecutive seasons. Russell also proved to be a heroic passer; he rallied the team to eight victories after trailing in the fourth quarter or overtime. Russell was regarded as one of the nation's top-rated quarterbacks while playing at Williamson High School. He was a consensus top-five ranked, pro-style quarterback by every major recruiting publication and was named to the prestigious Parade All-American team. In 2002, he was rated the fourth-best quarterback prospect in the country by College Football News, named Alabama's Mr. Football and Super Prep Dixie Offensive Player of the Year. Russell was a member of SuperPrep's All-American team, FSN South's Countdown to Signing Day "All-South" first-team, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Super Southern 100 and the Orlando Sentinel's All-Southern teams. The all-time leading passer in Alabama prep history, Russell threw for 10,744 yards during his career, eclipsing the record set by former Alabama and current Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Brodie Croyle. The two-time Class 5A All-State selection also rewrote the state record books with 84 touchdown passes. He connected on 219 of 372 passes for 3,332 yards and 22 touchdowns as a senior, adding 400 yards and five rushing TDs in 2002. Russell passed for 1,850 yards and 17 touchdowns as a junior. Russell also excelled on the school's basketball team as a small forward, averaging around 15 points, 10 rebounds and four assists per game as a junior. Russell enrolled at Louisiana State in 2003, spending the season on the scout team. He played in 11 games and shared quarterback duties with Marcus Randall in 2004, earning five starts. He completed 73 of 144 passes for 1,053 yards, nine touchdowns and four interceptions. But, despite his 4.7 speed, he was sacked 13 times and lost 41 yards on 26 carries, finishing with 1,012 yards in total offense. Russell became the full-time starter for the Tigers in 2005 and led the team to a 10-2 record in the Tigers' first 12 games. He suffered a left shoulder separation and ligament damage in his right wrist vs. Georgia in the SEC Championship Game, forcing him to miss the Peach Bowl and 2005 spring practice after undergoing wrist surgery. His '05 season totals -- 188-of-311 attempts for 2,443 yards, 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He scored twice on 61 carries, but lost 22 yards, as he was sacked 21 times and lost four fumbles. Russell changed his jersey number in 2006 -- he wore No. 4 during his first two seasons, but went to No. 2 as a junior. The first-team All-Southeastern Conference choice led the Tigers to an 11-3 record in his final campaign. He amassed 3,271 yards in total offense, gaining 3,129 passing yards with 28 touchdowns and only eight interceptions. He completed 232-of-342 passes and rushed for 142 yards and a score on 52 carries. In 36 games at Louisiana State, Russell started 30 games and threw for 6,625 yards, 52 touchdowns and 21 interceptions. He completed 493-of-797 passes and rushed 139 times for 79 yards with four scores. On 936 total plays, Russell piled up 6,704 yards in total offense, an average of 186.22 yards per game. This is a very good results.