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

[BeauBenken]

The fact that when our recruits go out they ALL recruit really says something about the cats Kelly has reeled in.

This is a great group of boys and I hope we don't lose a single one.

 

[woolybug25]

"The top three, if I had to chose, it would be Washington, Notre Dame and California," Russell said. "I have an official already set for Notre Dame when they play USC.

"Washington will be the final visit, and I haven't set up Cal yet. I plan on taking all five official visits."

Although it's natural to think that the hometown school has an advantage by hosting Russell last, he says that's not necessarily the case.

"I am going to Washington last because they are the hometown team but I don't think it's an advantage," Russell said. "To be honest, I'm all about the first impressions, so the first school I visit is going to set the pace and if they make a strong impression, it's going to be tough for the other schools."

We'll have to keep an eye out for when he schedules his Cal visit. Sounds like if we get his first visit, we could very well be in the driver's seat.

 

[beryirish]

The fact that when our recruits go out they ALL recruit really says something about the cats Kelly has reeled in.

This is a great group of boys and I hope we don't lose a single one.

Reel in cats???!!! Isn't that cruelty to animals? Be careful....they don't like to get reeled in.

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[Ironman8]

More on Russell per ESPN:

Some schools are recruiting Russell as a running back and others as more of a slot player -- a position at which he believes he can excel.

"Washington wants me as more of a slot guy and a return specialist; Cal wants me to be a running back," Russell said. "I think I'm going to play the slot because that's the position these days. The Percy Harvin type of guy that can just make plays."

Regardless of which school he goes to and which position he's asked to play, Russell is aiming high in the classroom and expects his future school to fill his needs academically as well.

"It's all about academics for me," Russell said. "If you get a degree from Cal or Notre Dame, you are set for life, and Washington's academics are getting stronger each year.

"They are on the rise on the field as well. Notre Dame never really fell down, at least not as much as people think."

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Notre Dame never really fell down, at least not as much as people think."

Russell just shot up considerably in my estimation. Wish we heard more recruits expressing this point of view.

 

[Rhode Irish]

I have a feeling that Keivarae is going to end up with ND. If he does, it'll make my day. I like him as a player, obviously, but from a personality standpoint he might be favorite recruit.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Steve Sarkisian could be seeing a Banner haul this recruiting class.

The best players in the state of Washington are all-purpose back Keivarae Russell and lineman Zach Banner and Joshua Garnett. But unlike most years, the best in Washington doesn’t take a backseat to anybody. These are three players that would be in the discussion as one of the elite in any state. University of Washington coach Steve Sarkisian knows that, and it has to make him smile.

Russell, one of the more underappreciated backs in the country, is a strong lean to his home-state program. Zach Banner isn’t tipping his hand, but at this point but I believe that Washington is in a great position to land his commitment as well. Banner has a very good relationship with Garnett, who also has Washington high on his list. There is a strong possibility that all three of these guys end up in purple. That is a haul that can take a program to another level.

247Sports' Barton Simmons offers his latest recruiting insights

 

[rtrn2glory]

not exactly what's being said lately...way it sounded was he was wide open.

 

[NYIrish14]

I don't believe anything 247 reports. Their the same site that said Odenigbo had a top 3 with Stanford not in it. Seems like it's this guys opinion, not a fact. I really feel that our biggest competition for both Russell and B.Marshall is Cal. Both are good friends after meeting eachother at Cal junior day. They have stated that they would like to play together.

 

[TerryTate]

Jason Sapp is good.

When Steve Wiltfong joins, it will be an excellent site.

 

[GBdomer]

Russell speaks highly of Washington so no shocker here? Banner home state might have the edge.

 

[TerryTate]

USC Game. This will all change.

 

[D-BOE34]

USC game, if we win, is going to make the kids like Russel commit immediately. Especially the ones that have a chance to walk in and see time.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Let's hope we still have enough room for all the 4 & 5 talent that will want to verbal after that game.

 

[BeauBenken]

Let's worry about winning the game first

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Let's worry about winning the game first

I prefer my cart before my horse, thank you very much.

 

[Big23Head]

Moved up his decision timeline per Scout

 

[BeauBenken]

Moved up his decision timeline per Scout

To what?

 

[Big23Head]

Don't have access but if someone does and wants to share, here it is:

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=newssearch&cd=2&ved=0CCoQqQIwAQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Foklahoma.scout.com%2F2%2F1086392.html&ei=UjkfTrqREam20AGOnL2-Aw&usg=AFQjCNFpU2CJD4UcO0NUFHYSHf14kLHHPQ

 

[Cali_domer]

Don't have access but if someone does and wants to share, here it is:

Scout.com: Russell Moves Up Timeline

That is a long *** link.

 

[Big23Head]

Haha I know, I couldn't get the thing to shorten for some reason so I said screw it.

 

[BeauBenken]

Well hopefully someone informs us soon.

 

[Ironman8]

I don't have access to Scout, but ISD spoke with him about his timeline. He wants to decide during the season, but he is definately coming for the USC game on Oct. 22 and then will visit Washington last. Thus, the title of the Scout article is a bit misleading as it seems he is simply moving up from a NSD decision to the end of the season after OVs.

 

[OlympiaIrishFan]

He wants to make a decision before his season, but really when it feels right. He also says his budy is Zack Kline a QB at Cal and got to know Treggs in Portland.

So, in my opinion it looks like Cal may be the leader. And the living just south of Seattle and Deonte' Cooper tore his ACL again for the UW Huskies, Zack Fogerson has a neck injury and is done with football, and Chris Polk will be a #1 or a #2 draft choice next year at RB for the Huskies I would bet that UW is #2 (Cal, the Irish, and UW are listed as his top 3). So, playing time and not a spread offense would be playing into this one IMO.

I wouldn't hold my breath on this one, Cal and UW look to be the leaders IMO.

I hate to say it, because I despise the Huskies, but they are locking down the top Washington Talent.

 

[ColinKSU]

Every year, it seems like Notre Dame flirts with a top player from the State of Washington (Taylor Mays, Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Kasen Williams, Jake Heaps, Jonathan Stewart) but we never land him. Have we gotten anyone out of that state since Lake Dawson and Demetrius DuBose in 1990/1991?

I like this kid a lot, but it sure doesn't seem that Washington kids are in a hurry to come across the country, when it comes down to actually saying you're going to a school and signing a LOI.

 

[Riddickulous]

Gridiron Kings: Day 1

STOCK DOWN

KeiVarae Russell, RB, Everett (Wash.) Mariner

As is the case with Richardson, Russell is a good prospect but probably not the No. 42 overall prospect in the country. His size is a concern and unlike a Johnson or Williams, he doesn’t display that elite quickness that you want out of a smaller back.

 

[BGIF]

Every year, it seems like Notre Dame flirts with a top player from the State of Washington (Taylor Mays, Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Kasen Williams, Jake Heaps, Jonathan Stewart) but we never land him. Have we gotten anyone out of that state since Lake Dawson and Demetrius DuBose in 1990/1991?

I like this kid a lot, but it sure doesn't seem that Washington kids are in a hurry to come across the country, when it comes down to actually saying you're going to a school and signing a LOI.

CPA comes to mind.

It is a small state recruitingwisewise, throw in ND's coaching turmoil and won/loss record, and consider your timeframe begins after uber recruiter Cerrato departed.

Koyack committed in April to ND and Seferian-Jenkins trimmed his list to 8 shortly there after omitting ND. Heaps received early ND interest that wanned quickly as I recall. He wasn't a Weis protype QB, was he? A Mormon, Heaps made a early verbal to BYU. Kasen Williams was a UW legacy. Mays verballed to the Carroll Circus before his senior season.

I don't recall ND getting a visit from any off those guys, do you?

Russell may not come to ND either. About 175 prospects with offers this year won't.

 

[ColinKSU]

CPA comes to mind.

It is a small state recruitingwisewise, throw in ND's coaching turmoil and won/loss record, and consider your timeframe begins after uber recruiter Cerrato departed.

Koyack committed in April to ND and Seferian-Jenkins trimmed his list to 8 shortly there after omitting ND. Heaps received early ND interest that wanned quickly as I recall. He wasn't a Weis protype QB, was he? A Mormon, Heaps made a early verbal to BYU. Kasen Williams was a UW legacy. Mays verballed to the Carroll Circus before his senior season.

I don't recall ND getting a visit from any off those guys, do you?

Russell may not come to ND either. About 175 prospects with offers this year won't.

FWIW, Russell hasn't been here either.

 

[BGIF]

FWIW, Russell hasn't been here either.

But he will be on an Official for the Southern Cal game. The other WA guys you mentioned didn't get that far.

 

[OlympiaIrishFan]

We lost out on Jonathon Stewart out of Timberline High School in Lacey, WA because Tyronne was just fired. So, there was no way he was going to school at ND with Tyronne just being fired. Then again, Oregon was hard to beat he camped there as a Soph and always loved it. And it was super easy for his mom to drive down I5 3 hours and 45 minutes and see every home game. I was one of Jons teachers and he was a special kid, on and off the field. He would have been a perfect kid at ND (RKG). But, the Oregon Nike blitz, close for his mom to get him, firing of Tyronne, and the camp love was too much for ND to overcome with Jonathon.

Go Irish, and still fight for the Washington Kids. When ND is that national powerhouse kids will come.