JaMarcus Russell attended Williamson High School in Mobile, Alabama where he played football and basketball. As a junior, JaMarcus passed for 1,850 yards and 17 touchdowns. He was named first team all-state at the conclusion of the season. As a senior he completed 219 of 372 pass attempts for 3,332 yards and 22 touchdowns. He also rushed for 400 yards and 5 more scores on the year. He finished his career with 10, 744 yards and 84 touchdowns, both state records. He was named first team all-state and Alabama’s “Mr. Football” following his senior season. He was considered to be one of the top five quarterback prospects in the nation and he accepted a scholarship to play at LSU where he sat out the 2003 season as a redshirt. JaMarcus would begin the 2004 season as the backup to starting quarterback Marcus Randall. He ended up starting four games, completing 73 of 144 pass attempts for 1,053 yards and 9 touchdowns with 4 interceptions. As a sophomore, Russell started 12 games, completing 188 of 311 passes for 2,443 yards and 15 touchdowns with 9 interceptions. He played most of the season with a wrist injury, then he seperated his shoulder in the third quarter of the SEC championship game, causing him to miss the bowl game against Miami. In the offseason, JaMarcus had surgery to repair ligaments in his wrist. He returned to set career highs in attempts (342), completions (232), passing yards (3,129), passing touchdowns (28), and rushing yards (142) as a junior. He threw just 8 interceptions on the year giving him a touchdown to interception ratio of nearly 4-1. He was named MVP of the Sugar Bowl after passing for 332 yards and 2 touchdowns in a 41-14 victory over Notre Dame. He was named first team all-conference by both the coaches and the associated press. He became only the second quarterback in school history to accomplish that feat (Tommy Hodson 1987). JaMarcus still has another year of eligibility left; however, he has opted to skip his senior season to enter the 2007 NFL draft.

JaMarcus Russell has been LSU’s full-time starting quarterback for the past two seasons, having started four games as a redshirt freshman in 2004. He is a big, strong quarterback with the size of a defensive end and excellent leadership qualities. He displayed his toughness as a sophomore, playing most of the season with torn ligaments in his wrist before having surgery to correct in the offseason. He has a quick release and a cannon for an arm with the ability to make all the throws required of an NFL signal caller. He throws a good, accurate deep ball and has good touch on his shorter passes. He is athletic enough to escape the rush. He can get out of the pocket and make an accurate throw on the run. He will never be confused with Michael Vick, but he can make a play with his feet when needed. His size and strength make him difficult to bring down and he will break some tackles. JaMarcus does have questionable decision-making as he does have a habit of forcing the ball into coverage at times. JaMarcus Russell has not yet reached his full potential. He has improved every year and he still has a great deal of upside. His stock has been on the rise as of late and I would expect it to go even higher after his predraft workouts. He will be among the top two quarterbacks selected and he has a legitimate shot at being the #1 overall pick in the 2007 NFL draft.