JaMarcus Russell Biography


JaMarcus Russell JaMarcus Russell Videos JaMarcus Russell Biography JaMarcus Russell Statistics NFL Tickets JaMarcus Russell Auctions JaMarcus Russell Jersey Oakland Raiders Links JaMarcus Russell Pictures JaMarcus Russell Biography High School Career Russell played High School football at Williamson HS in Mobile, Alabama. Russell eventually became the all-time passing leader in Alabama HS history as he threw for 10,744 yards. JaMarcus is also ranked as the fifth all-time career runner in Alabama HS history with 7,362 yards. In 2003, as a HS senior, Russell completed 219-of-372 passes for 3,332 yards and 22 TDs. Russell was named Alabama's Mr. Football. Russell had numerous scholarship offers coming out of High School. He chose LSU over Florida State on National Signing Day. College Career 2003/2004 - Freshman Season Russell redshirted during the 2003 season, when QB Matt Mauck led LSU to the BCS Championship. In 2004, JaMarcus shared time with SR QB Marcus Randall, playing in 11 games, starting in just 4. JaMarcus connected on just over 50% of his passes for 1,053 yards, throwing for 9 touchdowns and 4 interceptions in the process. In the Capital One Bowl against Iowa, Russell came off the bench and led LSU to two 4th-quarter scoring drives, enabling his team to erase a 12-point gap. However, Iowa QB Drew Tate completed a touchdown pass on the final play of the game to beat the Tigers 30-25. 2005 - Sophomore Season JaMarcus led LSU to a 10-1 record in the regular season, captured the SEC Western Div title, and a top-5 ranking heading into the SEC Championship Game. He also improved his own stats, completing 60% of his passes for 2,443 yards and 15 touchdowns. Russell received an honorable mention on the AP's All-SEC Team. Russell was praised for his efforts after Hurricane Katrina. After the hurricane and subsequent flooding, Russell housed around 20 people in his home, including musician Fats Domino. 2006 - Junior Season JaMarcus was the starting QB for LSU in 2006, beating out much talked-about RS FR Ryan Perrilloux. Russell had a successful 2006 regular season, leading LSU 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, winning the SEC Off. POTW award three times during the season. In the final game of his junior year, the Allstate Sugar Bowl, Russell combined for over 350 yards of passing and rushing and scored 3 TDs, leading to the Tigers 41-14 victory over Brady Quinn's Notre Dame Fighting Irish. JaMarcus was also named the Sugar Bowl's MVP. At the end of the 2006 season, Russell was named to the All-SEC 1st Team, ahead of Kentucky's Andre Woodson and FLA's Chris Leak. 2007 - NFL Draft On January 10, 2007, Russell announced that he had decided to forego his final season of NCAA eligibility with LSU and enter the 2007 NFL Draft. On April 28th, 2007, the Oakland Raiders selected QB JaMarcus Russell as the #1 Overall Draft Pick.

High School Career

Russell played High School football at Williamson HS in Mobile, Alabama. Russell eventually became the all-time passing leader in Alabama HS history as he threw for 10,744 yards. JaMarcus is also ranked as the fifth all-time career runner in Alabama HS history with 7,362 yards. In 2003, as a HS senior, Russell completed 219-of-372 passes for 3,332 yards and 22 TDs. Russell was named Alabama's Mr. Football.
Russell had numerous scholarship offers coming out of High School. He chose LSU over Florida State on National Signing Day.

College Career

2003/2004 - Freshman Season

Russell redshirted during the 2003 season, when QB Matt Mauck led LSU to the BCS Championship. In 2004, JaMarcus shared time with SR QB Marcus Randall, playing in 11 games, starting in just 4. JaMarcus connected on just over 50% of his passes for 1,053 yards, throwing for 9 touchdowns and 4 interceptions in the process.

In the Capital One Bowl against Iowa, Russell came off the bench and led LSU to two 4th-quarter scoring drives, enabling his team to erase a 12-point gap. However, Iowa QB Drew Tate completed a touchdown pass on the final play of the game to beat the Tigers 30-25.

2005 - Sophomore Season

JaMarcus led LSU to a 10-1 record in the regular season, captured the SEC Western Div title, and a top-5 ranking heading into the SEC Championship Game. He also improved his own stats, completing 60% of his passes for 2,443 yards and 15 touchdowns. Russell received an honorable mention on the AP's All-SEC Team.

Russell was praised for his efforts after Hurricane Katrina. After the hurricane and subsequent flooding, Russell housed around 20 people in his home, including musician Fats Domino.

2006 - Junior Season

JaMarcus was the starting QB for LSU in 2006, beating out much talked-about RS FR Ryan Perrilloux. Russell had a successful 2006 regular season, leading LSU 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, winning the SEC Off. POTW award three times during the season.

In the final game of his junior year, the Allstate Sugar Bowl, Russell combined for over 350 yards of passing and rushing and scored 3 TDs, leading to the Tigers 41-14 victory over Brady Quinn's Notre Dame Fighting Irish. JaMarcus was also named the Sugar Bowl's MVP. At the end of the 2006 season, Russell was named to the All-SEC 1st Team, ahead of Kentucky's Andre Woodson and FLA's Chris Leak.

2007 - NFL Draft

On January 10, 2007, Russell announced that he had decided to forego his final season of NCAA eligibility with LSU and enter the 2007 NFL Draft.

On April 28th, 2007, the Oakland Raiders selected QB JaMarcus Russell as the #1 Overall Draft Pick.