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LSU's Russell to enter draft after junior season
Louisiana State quarterback JaMarcus Russell will skip his senior season and enter the NFL draft in April.
A news conference is scheduled for Wednesday to announce the decision, ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported Sunday.
Russell, a 6-foot-6, 260-pounder from Mobile, Ala., was the nation's No. 3-ranked quarterback in passing efficiency this season. He threw for a career-high 332 yards and two touchdowns in the Tigers' 41-14 victory over Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl on Wednesday night.
Despite outplaying Brady Quinn in that game, Russell is still ranked No. 2 on the initial draft board of ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr., behind the Fighting Irish quarterback.
Kiper indicated that he would not commit to a final order until he sees which juniors declare for the draft. He also said that he wouldn't be surprised if the Oakland Raiders select Russell with the first pick because he fits their vertical passing game. That would give the Detroit Lions the option of taking Quinn with the second selection.
Russell will finish his LSU career with 6,525 yards and 52 touchdowns in three seasons -- two as a full-time starter.
A number of other players have decided to go pro:
• Sophomore Sidney Rice, South Carolina's career leader in touchdown receptions, is forgoing his final two seasons to enter the NFL draft. In two seasons, Rice caught 23 TDs to set the school's career mark.
• ESPN's Joe Schad reports that Miami junior linebacker Jon Beason said Sunday he will enter the NFL draft. "I wanted to play for coach [Randy] Shannon," Beason said. "But the risk in not coming out is just too much. Selfishly I have to go. I'm ready now to bring my intensity and passion to an NFL team."
• Arkansas defensive end Jamaal Anderson will enter the NFL draft after his junior season. Anderson led the SEC in sacks with 10½ in the regular season and added three in the Capital One Bowl.
Source: ESPN.com
A news conference is scheduled for Wednesday to announce the decision, ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported Sunday.
Russell, a 6-foot-6, 260-pounder from Mobile, Ala., was the nation's No. 3-ranked quarterback in passing efficiency this season. He threw for a career-high 332 yards and two touchdowns in the Tigers' 41-14 victory over Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl on Wednesday night.
Despite outplaying Brady Quinn in that game, Russell is still ranked No. 2 on the initial draft board of ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr., behind the Fighting Irish quarterback.
Kiper indicated that he would not commit to a final order until he sees which juniors declare for the draft. He also said that he wouldn't be surprised if the Oakland Raiders select Russell with the first pick because he fits their vertical passing game. That would give the Detroit Lions the option of taking Quinn with the second selection.
Russell will finish his LSU career with 6,525 yards and 52 touchdowns in three seasons -- two as a full-time starter.
A number of other players have decided to go pro:
• Sophomore Sidney Rice, South Carolina's career leader in touchdown receptions, is forgoing his final two seasons to enter the NFL draft. In two seasons, Rice caught 23 TDs to set the school's career mark.
• ESPN's Joe Schad reports that Miami junior linebacker Jon Beason said Sunday he will enter the NFL draft. "I wanted to play for coach [Randy] Shannon," Beason said. "But the risk in not coming out is just too much. Selfishly I have to go. I'm ready now to bring my intensity and passion to an NFL team."
• Arkansas defensive end Jamaal Anderson will enter the NFL draft after his junior season. Anderson led the SEC in sacks with 10½ in the regular season and added three in the Capital One Bowl.
Source: ESPN.com