JaMarcus Russell
JaMarcus Russell (born August 9, 1985) is an all-conference quarterback for the LSU Tigers.
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[edit] High School
Russell came to LSU as a highly-touted quarterback out of Williamson High School in Mobile, Alabama, where he became the all-time passing leader in Alabama high school history. He chose LSU over Florida State on National Signing Day.
[edit] Freshman Season
He was redshirted during the 2003 season when quarterback Matt Mauck led LSU to the BCS National Championship. In 2004, he split time with senior quarterback Marcus Randall. Russell appeared in 11 games and made 4 starts. He completed just over 50 percent of his passes for 1,053 yards, and threw for 9 touchdowns and 4 interceptions.
His most memorable game of the season was the 2005 Capital One Bowl against Iowa, where he came off the bench. Russell led LSU to two fourth-quarter scoring drives, allowing the Tigers to erase a 12 point deficit. However, LSU lost the game 30-25 as a result of an Iowa touchdown pass on the final play of the game.
[edit] Sophomore Season
By the fall 2005 season, Russell was the permanent starter for LSU. He led LSU to a 10-1 regular season record, the SEC Western Division title, and a top-5 ranking going into the SEC Championship Game. He also improved statistically, completing 60 percent of his passes for 2,443 yards and 15 touchdowns. Russell was named to the honarable mention All-SEC team by the AP.
Russell led the Tigers to two dramatic come-from-behind wins in the regular season. The first came on a 39 yard pass to Early Doucet on 4th down in the final minute of the game, as the Tigers defeated Arizona State 35-31. Later in the season, LSU defeated a then-undefeated Alabama team 16-13 when Russell completed a 14 yard touchdown to Dwayne Bowe on the last play of the game in overtime.
However, Russell injured his shoulder in a loss to Georgia in the SEC Championship Game, and missed the team's bowl game. Backup quarterback Matt Flynn replaced Russell for the Peach Bowl game against Miami, and the Tigers won the game 40-3.
[edit] Junior Season
Russell was the starting quarterback again at LSU in 2006, beating out backup Matt Flynn and highly-touted redshirt freshman Ryan Perriloux. He had a very productive 2006 regular season, leading the Tigers to a 10-2 record and a BCS Sugar Bowl berth. He threw for 2,797 yards, 26 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. He was also second in the SEC with 2,923 yards from scrimmage. He also won the SEC Offensive Player of the Week award three times during the regular season.
His most memorable performance of the 2006 season came against Tennessee. In spite of throwing three interceptions (including one returned for a touchdown), he led LSU on a come-from-behind, 15-play, 80-yard drive in the final minutes of the game. The drive ended with a four-yard touchdown pass to Early Doucet with less than 10 seconds left in the game, and the Tigers defeated Tennessee 28-24. Earlier in the drive, Russell and Doucet also connected for a first down on a 4th and 8 situation.
At the end of the 2006 season, Russell was named to the all-SEC first team, ahead of Kentucky's Andre' Woodson and Florida's Chris Leak. In addition, he was named an honorable mention All-American by Sports Illustrated's website, SI.com.
JaMarcus is currently garnering a ton of attention from the NFL. According to Chris Landry, who has an infamous ratings system for future talent in the NFL, JaMarcus has rating of 7.2. According to that, it would classify him as player with superstar potential at the next level. It is possible that if Russell outduels the likely 1st pick in the upcoming draft Brady Quinn in the 2007 Allstate Sugar Bowl, he may in turn become the 1st pick in the 2007 NFL Draft.
[edit] Other Facts
Russell is one of the biggest college football quarterbacks in terms of size. During his junior season, LSU listed Russell at 6'6" and 260 pounds. His size and weight make it difficult for pass rushers to tackle him. In addition, he has an extremely strong arm but average to below-average speed and scrambling ability. Because of his physical attributes, some people compare him as a quarterback to NFL star Daunte Culpepper.
