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Quincy Russell: 100-percent Texas (Story)

  • By Jeff Howe

    San Antonio Sam Houston defensive tackle Quincy Russell committed to Texas in April. Twenty-four hours later, and the big man had decided he needed to make sure the Horns were the right choice for him.

    But in June, after some soul-searching and additional research, Russell re-committed to Texas. This time his decision is final.

    “For the recruiters, it’s a business, but as far as my business goes I’m going to stay true to my word,” Russell said. “That’s that. Things are going to stay the same with me being committed to Texas.”

    More than 20 schools offered Russell a scholarship – most notably Auburn, Baylor, Florida State, Notre Dame, Oklahoma and Texas A&M – and at one time Russell said things with his recruitment were going faster than he could have ever imagined.

    Now that he’s shut things down, he said things have been much better. Even the fact that schools continue to attempt to recruit him doesn’t bother him much since he’s made up his mind that he’ll be heading to Austin.

    “It’s hectic, but not really,” Russell said. “That’s their job as recruiters – to get the players they want. Just because someone is committed there, they’re still going to do what they have to do to try and get them to go to their school. It doesn’t really bother me though because I know where I’m going.

    Russell said he’s in the best shape of his life after spending the summer working out three times a day and playing AAU basketball. The 6-foot-3-inch defender said he’s currently weighing in at around 280-pounds and expects to play at around that weight for during his senior year.

    Notes:

    * Aside from Fort Bend Dulles safety Sheroid Evans, I think Russell has the highest ceiling of any defensive prospect in the state in 2011. I was at Sam Houston for a two-a-day practice recently and you don’t often use the term “fluid athleticism” for big men, but you can with Russell. He’s quick, has exceptional hip flexibility and knee bend, has quick feet and is one of the most athletic defensive tackles I’ve seen in the last few classes. He’s got the ability to play the one-technique because long-term he could be a 300-plus pounder with great strength and power yet he can definitely play the three and five techniques because of his quickness. He’s also got a tremendous work ethic and displays leadership skills. With Desmond Jackson looking like the prototype one-gap penetrator (i.e. Lamarr Houston), Russell is more similar to Kheeston Randall. Russell will come to Texas as a high-potential athlete who could eventually become a dominant player and give the Texas defensive staff a ton of flexibility because of what he brings to the table.

    * A solid pledge from Russell and the recent commitment of Cibolo Steele running back Malcolm Brown has made San Antonio one of the most important territories for Texas in building the 2011 class. Russell and Brown were both recruited by defensive backs coach Duane Akina, who also recruited San Antonio Stevens athlete Mykkele Thompson. The Longhorns are also after one more important piece from San Antonio for 2011 – Madison running back Aaron Green.

    * Green’s uncle, former NFL All-Pro defensive back Gary Green, is Russell’s head coach at Sam Houston and Russell said he’s gotten to know Aaron Green very well, which could be huge down the line for Texas.

    * Russell’s Sam Houston teammate – 2012 defensive line prospect Javonte Magee – currently has Texas in his top three along with Baylor and Texas A&M. The 6-foot-6, 273-pound Magee is expected to be heavily recruited and said he’d like to unofficially visit a few schools for games this fall, including Texas.

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    E-mail: jeffwhowe@gmail.com Twitter: @JeffHowe247

    Jeff Howe ●

  • Here's a photo gallery of Quincy Russell from my recent trip to Sam Houston.

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    E-mail: jeffwhowe@gmail.com Twitter: @JeffHowe247

    Jeff Howe ●

  • Is Magee a take, and are the coaches recruiting him?

    NLeininger

  • NLeininger said...

    Is Magee a take, and are the coaches recruiting him?

    I think he's a take and Texas will recruit him. Coach Akina spent some time with him when he was on campus for the summer camp.

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    E-mail: jeffwhowe@gmail.com Twitter: @JeffHowe247

    Jeff Howe ●

  • Great report!

    I am really liking that San Antonio pipeline and I absolutely love defensive linemen that also play basketball. Dancing bears!

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    Even if it means pissin' you off a little bit to get you to work, I'm not gonna' let you down. ~ Bennie Wylie

    papa horn

  • Here's a great video from SA ISD. Coach Green says he's twice as quick and twice as agile as Suh. Said he's not as strong yet, but they're working on that.

    signature image signature image signature image

    Even if it means pissin' you off a little bit to get you to work, I'm not gonna' let you down. ~ Bennie Wylie

    papa horn

  • papa horn said...

    Here's a great video from SA ISD. Coach Green says he's twice as quick and twice as agile as Suh. Said he's not as strong yet, but they're working on that.

    Coach Gary Green, High Priest of Hyperbole.

    Suh is without a doubt one of the freakiest athletes I've ever seen, so to pay such a massive compliment regarding Russell's speed and agility is insane. However, I do think that Russell looks to be a beast of a DT prospect, and you can tell the upside is high.

    Gerry/Jeff, do you notice that Russell plays a little high for the DT position? I know that he's 6-4, but I worry about his pad level and getting stood up by good OL prospects. Not anything that can't be coached out of him, by any means...

    This post was edited by HornDomination on 8/23/2010 at 10:05 AM

    HornDomination

  • What's crazy is that up until the Big 12 CG, Lamaar had pretty much matched Suh and was killing McCoy in terms of stats.

    The Raiders got a very underrated player, especially at a price that's not even close to Suh or McCoy.

    NLeininger

  • NLeininger said...

    What's crazy is that up until the Big 12 CG, Lamaar had pretty much matched Suh and was killing McCoy in terms of stats.

    The Raiders got a very underrated player, especially at a price that's not even close to Suh or McCoy.

    Yes I do and that's the main reason I think Quincy is a better prospect than he is a player right now. Technique-wise Russell has a way to go IMO. Very raw. However, he's one heck of an athlete at the DT position. He'll be a multiple-year starter in basketball by the time he's done with high school and he was a sprinter in junior high - which is where Green and the SH staff found out about him.

    I think he's got the work ethic to make it at Texas and beyond, and I'm very curious to see how he develops when basketball is out of the picture and he can focus all of his energy on football.

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    E-mail: jeffwhowe@gmail.com Twitter: @JeffHowe247

    Jeff Howe ●

  • Based on the videos available online Russell is far and away the best DT prospect in Texas. He's just so much bigger than Desmond Jackson and more athletic than Marquis Anderson. He could play at 320lbs plus eventually. I don't see him as that raw of a player either. He's just like most DL recruits in that he plays a bit too high but I like he's always trying to separate from blocks. He plays the run on the way to the QB, lol. The Rivals vid where he rolls off his ankle and gets flat/lateral is impressive.

    Xcoachtoo

  • Xcoachtoo said...

    Based on the videos available online Russell is far and away the best DT prospect in Texas. He's just so much bigger than Desmond Jackson and more athletic than Marquis Anderson. He could play at 320lbs plus eventually. I don't see him as that raw of a player either. He's just like most DL recruits in that he plays a bit too high but I like he's always trying to separate from blocks. He plays the run on the way to the QB, lol. The Rivals vid where he rolls off his ankle and gets flat/lateral is impressive.

    I agree with you. He reminds me of Shaun Rogers.

    aggiecutter

  • Xcoachtoo said...

    Based on the videos available online Russell is far and away the best DT prospect in Texas. He's just so much bigger than Desmond Jackson and more athletic than Marquis Anderson. He could play at 320lbs plus eventually. I don't see him as that raw of a player either. He's just like most DL recruits in that he plays a bit too high but I like he's always trying to separate from blocks. He plays the run on the way to the QB, lol. The Rivals vid where he rolls off his ankle and gets flat/lateral is impressive.

    Xcoach, do you think Russell's athleticism and upside outweigh (no pun intended for the big man) Jackson's explosiveness and disruptive backfield capabilities? Admittedly, I'm smitten by what I've seen of Jackson's footage, but I also see the proverbial "dancing bear" when viewing Russell (high pad level notwithstanding). I guess it comes down to a combination of their talents as applied to where we think they'll play - Jackson at the 3-tech and Russell at the 1.

    HornDomination

  • HornDomination said...

    Xcoach, do you think Russell's athleticism and upside outweigh (no pun intended for the big man) Jackson's explosiveness and disruptive backfield capabilities? Admittedly, I'm smitten by what I've seen of Jackson's footage, but I also see the proverbial "dancing bear" when viewing Russell (high pad level notwithstanding). I guess it comes down to a combination of their talents as applied to where we think they'll play - Jackson at the 3-tech and Russell at the 1.

    I think Jackson's best spot is probably the 3 IMO because of his first step. He can play some one - he's that classic one-gap penetrator. Russell, like said earlier, I think can play some 1, 3 or 5.

    The main difference between the two is I don't see Jackson being able to break the 300-pound barrier (he'll be right at it) at the next level. Russell however could be just as athletic as his now playing about 20-30 pounds heavier once he gets in a college weight/nutrition program.

    I still think Quincy is raw, guys. Athletically it's all there for him but I think once he starts to understand concepts like leg drive, using his hips and being able to hit and separate on a consistent basis is when you'll see him really take off.

    I've said it before and I firmly believe it - we could look back at this class 5 years from now and Russell could be one of the top 5 to 10 best guys to emerge from the group.

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    E-mail: jeffwhowe@gmail.com Twitter: @JeffHowe247

    Jeff Howe ●

  • HornDomination said...

    Xcoach, do you think Russell's athleticism and upside outweigh (no pun intended for the big man) Jackson's explosiveness and disruptive backfield capabilities? Admittedly, I'm smitten by what I've seen of Jackson's footage, but I also see the proverbial "dancing bear" when viewing Russell (high pad level notwithstanding). I guess it comes down to a combination of their talents as applied to where we think they'll play - Jackson at the 3-tech and Russell at the 1.

    Russell is a lot bigger kid than Desmond Jackson. I love Jackson's game but have concerns about his frame. Not sure he can carry 300lbs of "good" weight. Jackson may be the better player at the HS level but Russell has the higher ceiling.

    Xcoachtoo

  • Jeff Howe said...

    I think Jackson's best spot is probably the 3 IMO because of his first step. He can play some one - he's that classic one-gap penetrator. Russell, like said earlier, I think can play some 1, 3 or 5.

    The main difference between the two is I don't see Jackson being able to break the 300-pound barrier (he'll be right at it) at the next level. Russell however could be just as athletic as his now playing about 20-30 pounds heavier once he gets in a college weight/nutrition program.

    I still think Quincy is raw, guys. Athletically it's all there for him but I think once he starts to understand concepts like leg drive, using his hips and being able to hit and separate on a consistent basis is when you'll see him really take off.

    I've said it before and I firmly believe it - we could look back at this class 5 years from now and Russell could be one of the top 5 to 10 best guys to emerge from the group.

    yeah, I dunno, when I hear "raw" Cedric Reed comes to mind because he's lost with his hands but so far above the competition size/athleticism-wise. Quincy doesn't have a lot of moves but he he uses his underneath rip move quite effectively and he understands how to "get skinny" and reduce his surface area. He doesn't let offensive lineman into his frame. You're right about his pad level and hips though I expect most HS kids to play too high. Recruitable HS kids tend do it because they can get away with it because usually they're tallest kids on the field. Quincy has a lot of room to get better but he's been coached up some too.

    Xcoachtoo

  • Xcoachtoo said...

    yeah, I dunno, when I hear "raw" Cedric Reed comes to mind because he's lost with his hands but so far above the competition size/athleticism-wise. Quincy doesn't have a lot of moves but he he uses his underneath rip move quite effectively and he understands how to "get skinny" and reduce his surface area. He doesn't let offensive lineman into his frame. You're right about his pad level and hips though I expect most HS kids to play too high. Recruitable HS kids tend do it because they can get away with it because usually they're tallest kids on the field. Quincy has a lot of room to get better but he's been coached up some too.

    Great takes, Xcoachtoo.

    I guess we'll have to agree to disagree on Russell a little bit. I love the upside, no doubt. I guess I'm just in the group of folks who thinks he has a way to go.

    I also think too - the closer you get to the football the tougher it is to make the transition because the bodies are much bigger and move much faster. From that standpoint alone I think Russell has a pretty big learning curve ahead of him.

    Not doubting however that I really think he could be a special, special player if he puts in the work.

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    E-mail: jeffwhowe@gmail.com Twitter: @JeffHowe247

    Jeff Howe ●

  • Xcoachtoo said...

    yeah, I dunno, when I hear "raw" Cedric Reed comes to mind because he's lost with his hands but so far above the competition size/athleticism-wise. Quincy doesn't have a lot of moves but he he uses his underneath rip move quite effectively and he understands how to "get skinny" and reduce his surface area. He doesn't let offensive lineman into his frame. You're right about his pad level and hips though I expect most HS kids to play too high. Recruitable HS kids tend do it because they can get away with it because usually they're tallest kids on the field. Quincy has a lot of room to get better but he's been coached up some too.

    Agree on Reed's hands. He's aggressive with his hands, really shows up at tight end, but has learning to do on how to use them.

    National Director of Scouting & Recruiting Analyst @GerryHam247

    Gerry Hamilton ●

  • What I like abut Russell is the baseline talent. He has very good, quick feet. Can't coach it. He is also a flexible kid and is hard to knock off of his feet. Very natural for him.

    Also as Xcoach pointed out, he makes himself skinny and that has always been impressive to see with a high school DL whether coached or not.

    On Jackson, his motor is so impressive. Not many have that motor and I think that will carry him in large part at the next level. He is also uber quick (when healthy) for his position. We all have the same question on him, carrying the weight. He's not a Casey Hampton body type.

    National Director of Scouting & Recruiting Analyst @GerryHam247

    Gerry Hamilton ●

  • I don't think you want Jackson to carry weight, so to me asking whether he can do it is the wrong approach. Jackson is a one-gap guy who we shouldn't be afraid to let play at 280-290 pounds. Viewed in that light, he doesn't even really play the same position as Russell, who I agree is a Shaun Rogers starter kit. You want to have both types of guys available, and we're in the unique position of getting to stock up on a variety of talent to run any kind of scheme Muschamp can dream up.

    CS

  • CS said...

    I don't think you want Jackson to carry weight, so to me asking whether he can do it is the wrong approach. Jackson is a one-gap guy who we shouldn't be afraid to let play at 280-290 pounds. Viewed in that light, he doesn't even really play the same position as Russell, who I agree is a Shaun Rogers starter kit. You want to have both types of guys available, and we're in the unique position of getting to stock up on a variety of talent to run any kind of scheme Muschamp can dream up.

    Solid point and agree on Jackson.

    National Director of Scouting & Recruiting Analyst @GerryHam247

    Gerry Hamilton ●

  • CS said...

    I don't think you want Jackson to carry weight, so to me asking whether he can do it is the wrong approach. Jackson is a one-gap guy who we shouldn't be afraid to let play at 280-290 pounds. Viewed in that light, he doesn't even really play the same position as Russell, who I agree is a Shaun Rogers starter kit. You want to have both types of guys available, and we're in the unique position of getting to stock up on a variety of talent to run any kind of scheme Muschamp can dream up.

    I'll take a Shaun Rogers "Starter kit" type of prospect. Russell sounds like he has a lot of potential.

    On Jackson, is he similar to DT Roy Miller?

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    RoosterNTexas ●

  • I have to disagree about Jackson, to me he is a no-brainer 5* star that is going to be an all-american contender in college. i think russell CAN become that but i think Jackson is a pretty sure bet.

    hooke_dup

  • Something else worth mentioning on Quincy Russell...

    His work ethic is outstanding. On the day I was there he said he had gotten and done a light workout in the morning, went to two-a-days, was going to go lift weights and then go back up the stadium and do some extra conditioning before calling it a day.

    It seems like he's already on the path toward making football his priority when it comes to athletics.m You add that onto the fact that you have a kid who really wants to major in engineering at a school like Texas, then you have the makings of a kid any coach would love to have in their program.

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    E-mail: jeffwhowe@gmail.com Twitter: @JeffHowe247

    Jeff Howe ●

  • hookem233 said...

    I have to disagree about Jackson, to me he is a no-brainer 5* star that is going to be an all-american contender in college. i think russell CAN become that but i think Jackson is a pretty sure bet.

    My intent is not to knock Jackson's game but 6 foot DT's aren't "no brainer" 5 stars. He's a better player than Russell right now but will Jackson's quickness translate at the college level? IDK, mebbe, mebbe not. Jackson is big for his position in HS so his size isn't a disadvantage yet. Jackson is going to have to change his body composition some and pack a lot of muscle on his frame while being relatively lean most likely to maximize quickness. Trying' to think of the last elite DT that was below 290lbs. John Randle was a smaller interior guy but he was 205lbs as a Fr in college. He and Jackson have different bodies.

    Xcoachtoo

  • Jeff Howe said...

    Something else worth mentioning on Quincy Russell...

    His work ethic is outstanding. On the day I was there he said he had gotten and done a light workout in the morning, went to two-a-days, was going to go lift weights and then go back up the stadium and do some extra conditioning before calling it a day.

    It seems like he's already on the path toward making football his priority when it comes to athletics.m You add that onto the fact that you have a kid who really wants to major in engineering at a school like Texas, then you have the makings of a kid any coach would love to have in their program.

    good to hear. He has a chance to be really good if continues on.

    Xcoachtoo

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