USC Junior Defensive Tackle Darrell Russell Will Leave USC Early To Enter NFL Draft
LOS ANGELES - USC junior defensive tackle Darrell Russell, a two-time (1995-96) All-Pac-10 first team selection, announced today that he is leaving USC early to enter this spring's NFL draft.
"After looking at the pros and cons of leaving USC, it just seemed that the pros outweighed the cons," said Russell. "A key factor in my decision was that I believe that, as a defensive lineman, I have a very good chance of being drafted fairly high.
"What made the decision so difficult was that I love USC and have had a great time here. I have no doubt that I made the right college choice. I'm close to getting my bachelor's degree in communication and after my rookie year in the NFL, I should need just one semester to graduate."
Said USC coach John Robinson: "I'm sure this was a difficult decision for Darrell. But it appears he'll be a very high draft choice and there is a lot of money on the line. He felt it was the right decision. I support him, wish him well and look forward to watching him play in the NFL."
The 6-4, 305-pound Russell won the 1996 Morris Trophy, given to the Pac-10's top defensive lineman as voted on by the league's offensive linemen. In 1996, he made 56 tackles, including a team-best 19 for losses for -87 yards with a team-high 9 sacks for -66 yards. He also forced 3 fumbles and deflected 3 passes.
In his 3-year career as a starter, he had 123 tackles, including 36 for losses (with 15 sacks).
Russell is the sixth Trojan to leave USC early to enter the NFL draft (the others were first rounders Junior Seau, Mark Carrier, Curtis Conway and Todd Marinovich, and 11th rounder Mazio Royster).
Darrell Russell Press Conference
First of all, I'd like to thank everybody for coming today for this announcement. I'd like to announce that I'm going to forego my senior year at USC and enter the NFL draft."
I'd first like to thank the entire USC staff for being there for me every step of the way, starting with my strength coaches, Jamie Yanchar and James Strom, for helping me get to this point physically. I'd like to thank each of my coaches, starting with Coach Smith, who was my first D-line coach here when I was a freshman, Coach Marinelli, who was here when I was a sophomore, and then Coach McInerney, who was my coach this season. I'd also like to thank Dennis Thurman, the defensive backs coach, who was there for me as far as matters off the field. I'd like to thank David Robinson, who first recruited me, and Keith Burns, our defensive coordinator. I'd like to thank each of the offensive coaches, starting with Mike Riley, who I wish well at Oregon State, and I'd also like to thank Coach Sanford, Coach Barry and Coach White. And last but not least, I'd like to thank Coach Robinson, who was basically my number one reason for coming here. He told me basically my part playing on this team and being a student on this campus. He never did me wrong. He backed up every single word that he said.
There's not one ounce of regret for me coming here. I'd also like to thank the USC family for their support and welcoming me with open arms as I played here. I'd also like to thank the school for letting me attend here as a student. That will make me a lot more comfortable as I come back and finish my sociology degree. I'd also like to thank my family, mainly my mom, who has been there for me and raised me.
(on his motivation) My motivation for leaving school early was more of my position and how I looked as far as the defensive tackles. How I did this year, and my size and my physical ability.
(on looking at the draft) I looked at the juniors that were coming out, I looked at the seniors that were coming out. I looked at each team and the positions that they needed. I also looked at the free agents at my position this year compared to next year. And I looked at what was the word of how I compared to other defensive tackles.
(on where he is projected in the draft) The word has gone from No. 3 to No. 22, anywhere in there. The one thing I know for sure is it will most likely be first round.
(on when he made the decision) It was a long, hard process. It was like a seesaw. I kept going back and forth. I probably finalized my decision in the last couple of days.
(on who said he might go between Nos. 3-22) Word travels fast. People talked about it, and I also got the help of Coach Robinson. Mainly Coach Robinson.
(on what motivated his decision) It seemed that this year was the best year, as far as my position, as far as my ability.
(on any doubts, fear about his decision) Of course there's some fear. I'm not like, 'Bring them on, I'll take on anyone.' I'd love to come in and contribute and learn. There's some fear going in, but it's a decision I made and it's a decision I'm very confident about.
(on whether or not he'll stay in school this semester) I'm trying to figure that out now. If I can stay, then I will. And I will come back and finish my last semester ... I have 2 semesters left. It made it easier knowing that I was this close to graduating. If I wasn't this close, it would have been harder to leave.
(on whether USC's play last season affected his decision) If that was going to affect my decision any, it would have made me want to stay another season.
(on what influence money had on his decision) Of course. I'm a starving college student. Who wouldn't be influenced by that?
Quotes from USC coach John Robinson
I was in the Russell home about 3 1/2 years ago and we talked about this and we talked about the potential of him playing 3 years and then moving on. We did everything we could to make this a positive experience. I was in the Russell home before Christmas and talking about some of the same things. I think we tried to work together to arrive at what was in the best interests for Darrell. I tried to do some research with coaches and general managers in the league and it was generally acknowledged that he would go in the top 15, or perhaps the top 10. In the next month or 2 that he has to work out, he may be able to enhance that position. There aren't many good defensive linemen in college football and he everyone says he would be the first one picked. So there was a lot of influence in that.
People who talked to us about the money indicated that last year Keyshawn got the top money and there was a difference of about $5 million between the first guy picked and the 10th. So if you were picked around 10th to 12th, you'd be making somewhere around $9-10 million over 4-5 years. So we're looking at money that is beyond any of our abilities to understand. There isn't much of a choice when you're offered that.
The alternative is to try and stay like Keyshawn did and try and become the number one pick in the draft. That was one thing that we presented to Darrell. But I concur with Darrell. It's the right thing to do. He has tremendous potential. I don't think he has realized that potential yet but it's time for him to go. I will miss his mom more than I will miss him. That's been the fun of all of this, having any of our players' parents involved, and obviously this is a dream come true for him. We're very excited about it. He can come back and get his degree, he's not too far away. That's something that he can achieve. A degree is an absolute must and I'm confident that he will come back and get that.
We lose Matt Keneley and Darrell inside and that's a blow but we will survive. We have a good football team coming back. We all wish Darrell well and Godspeed and will be asking him for a loan. It's exciting and a positive thing. The regret is that we don't get to keep him for another year, but you have that regret for all of the seniors too. It's exciting to see a man achieve part of his dream. That's the purpose of all of this.
(on whether or not he tried to talk Darrell out of leaving) No. I just tried to find out information for him. I did not ask him to stay. I don't think he owes USC. He came and fulfilled his obligation to us. He was a 3 year starter and did everything we asked him to do. When it came down to it, I felt he made the right decision.
(on whether they talked about this during his recruitment) There was a possibility of this. There is for every gifted high school player. It's a reality. The first round in the NFL Draft is getting to be a junior draft. They ought to change it from the first round to the junior draft. It seems to all be juniors now, and then the seniors go in the second round. It's not quite there, but it's getting there.
(on comparing this to Tony Boselli's situation) Keyshawn and Tony made the decision to stay. Keyshawn had only played one year of college ball. Tony, as an offensive lineman, probably would have been able to go out and have success. But they both chose to stay. That was the other side of the coin. Darrell was able to see what they did. They made the right decision for them, and I think Darrell is making the right decision for him.
It's very hard for anyone to make a case to stay when a player is offered that kind of money.
