'12 WA RB Keivarae Russell (Notre Dame Signed LOI)

[TheChosen1]

Props to Elliott as well

 

[JD Irish]

Eating crow. Really glad to have him in the backfield this year and in the future. He's shown tremendous improvement, especially with his tackling.

 

[NDFANnSouthWest]

This kid ...wow....that is all i can say is wow.

 

[IrishJayhawk]

Think he moves back to offense next week?

 

[Kak7304]

Think he moves back to offense next week?

No, but Neal comes over to DB.

 

[irishfanjho15]

Rumble young man, rumble.

 

[Buster Bluth]

9 tackles....

Which actually means that they simply threw his way a ton.

 

[NDdomer2]

Can't wait 'til this kid gets a full season in the weight room.

 

[NewBrunswickIrish]

Which actually means that they simply threw his way a ton.

Considering they threw the ball 51 times and completed 35, they threw the ball everyone's way...

 

[Old Man Mike]

I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that I believe in a very unpopular heresy: that we are NOT desperate for any of these great corners everyone's lusting after. What I had ALREADY seen in the Russell/Jackson development, and the height of the ceiling that I think I see in both of them, says to me that we have two outstanding-to-soon-be CBs that any team would kill for.

I'm still for recruiting studs, but for me, we aren't desperate. I am a little less "satisfied" with the speed of Matthias' learning curve at safety, but think that he can get there, AND I see no reason to doubt that we can find a couple of supermen there in the handful of Shumate, Collinsworth, Baratti, Prosise, Badger.

Our future defensive backfield is one of my least worries "keeping me up at night".

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

Which actually means that they simply threw his way a ton.

Which means he finished the tackles off... Which is my point...

 

[irishff1014]

This young man his been a jem. Glad he selected the University of Notre Dame.

 

[pkt77242]

Which actually means that they simply threw his way a ton.

And he executed the game plan that Kelly talked about perfectly. Make them throw short and then tackle them quickly. So what you are really saying is that he executed Kelly and Diaco's plan perfectly.

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that I believe in a very unpopular heresy: that we are NOT desperate for any of these great corners everyone's lusting after. What I had ALREADY seen in the Russell/Jackson development, and the height of the ceiling that I think I see in both of them, says to me that we have two outstanding-to-soon-be CBs that any team would kill for.

I'm still for recruiting studs, but for me, we aren't desperate. I am a little less "satisfied" with the speed of Matthias' learning curve at safety, but think that he can get there, AND I see no reason to doubt that we can find a couple of supermen there in the handful of Shumate, Collinsworth, Baratti, Prosise, Badger.

Our future defensive backfield is one of my least worries "keeping me up at night".

Every college football team needs the great players. Russell has worked out, but no one behind Jackson & Russell have proven to be anything and Jackson will be a senior next year. Luke or Alexander would help depth. I am a huge Russell fan though and I think he'll be lockdown sooner rather than later.

 

[levicarvalho]

This guy will be a star

 

[Riddickulous]

Love love love this kid's hustle. Saved a couple of touchdowns today.

 

[NDFANnSouthWest]

Love love love this kid's hustle. Saved a couple of touchdowns today.

Excellent point. He impresses me every game.

 

[Ironman8]

Love love love this kid's hustle. Saved a couple of touchdowns today.

His game speed is really impressive, to go along with his solid tackling. He just has "it".

 

[Who'saWildManNow]

Couldn't ask for much more from a true freshman.. Excited for what's still to come.

 

[NDPhilly]

I remember last year we thought he lacked top end speed. The way he chased down Ray Graham from behind really suprised me. Kid playing extremely well right now.

 

[Junkhead]

I was worried about our secondary before the season. I have more confidence in Russell and Jackson than I did in the seniors who started last year!

 

[4irishnation]

kid is going to be special

 

[PraetorianND]

Been sayin in. Been sayin for ten damn years. A'int I been sayin it?

 

[ThePiombino]

Looked like the fastest guy in the field by far on that TD-saving tackle on Graham.

 

[PraetorianND]

Since Russell was 8 yrs old?

Name that movie!

 

[NDPhilly]

Great question. Have FR Russell and JR Jackson been better than the 2 seniors Gray and Blanton? I'd say yes. Jackson especially has been a beast.

 

[Riddickulous]

Tough to say. Russell and Jackson have a much better front seven to work with.

 

[ThePiombino]

Tough to say. Russell and Jackson have a much better front seven to work with.

Valid point; however, question stands! I'd say yes because the few jump balls they've dealt with this year were properly defended. We couldn't pay Gray to get his head around...

 

[tadman95]

I think what Russell has accomplished is outstanding. True freshman, new position, running down receivers/backs, making open field tackles, the kid is a player.

Can you imagine how good he can be as his technique improves and he gets more experience? I can.

Kelly and coaches have to be giddy with his progression. I am.

 

[Junkhead]

I don't see how Jalen Brown or Lo Wood will unseat either Russell or Jackson when they return.