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.
