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S Anderson Russell (official thread)

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2009 NFP scouting series: Ohio State
Buckeyes prospects worth watching this season.
Wes Bunting
July 28, 2009

This summer, the National Football Post is breaking down every team in the Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly known as Division I-A) to identify players who might warrant interest from NFL teams in the 2010 draft.

The Ohio State Buckeyes again have a talented group of NFL prospects and are definitely one of the favorites to capture the Big Ten title.

Defense

Anderson Russell: No. 21, FS, 5-11, 205

Showcases smooth footwork in his back-pedal and does a nice job keeping his feet under him through his drop. Remains balanced in coverage and is able to quickly click and close on the ball underneath. Possess good lateral mobility out of his breaks and has some intriguing range in the secondary.

However, he?s slow to diagnose plays and doesn?t consistently get good jumps on the football. Has a tendency to take a false step in coverage and isn?t always flowing toward the play.

Possesses natural body control in space and does a nice job breaking down and taking proper angles toward the ball. But he isn?t a real physical tackler and doesn?t make many plays attacking downhill. Plays it safe as the last-line defender and looks content to sit back and simply funnel plays toward the sideline.

Impression: A fluid safety who showcases good footwork and range in the secondary. However, he isn?t much of a playmaker and lacks the type of instincts needed to be a ball hawk.
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2009 NFP scouting series: Ohio State | National Football Post
 
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The top 20 Ohio State football players for 2009: No. 8, Anderson Russell
by Doug Lesmerises, The Plain Dealer
Monday August 10, 2009

small_RussellAndersonheadshotFIX.jpg

OSU
Anderson Russell

No. 8: Senior safety Anderson Russell

Russell is one of five three-year starters on this team, joining fellow safety Kurt Coleman, offensive lineman Jim Cordle, defensive tackle Doug Worthington and defensive lineman Cameron Heyward. And if he hadn't torn his ACL after securing the starting job as a true freshman in 2006, we'd be talking about him as a four-year starter.

That counts for something. No, that counts for a lot.

Early in his career, dropping potential interceptions was part of Russell's reputation. But for a guy who was a high school running back and made a sometimes difficult transition to the defensive backfield, you could live with it.

So he's not a ballhawk and I don't consider Russell a consistently huge hitter. And in the Fiesta Bowl against Texas, it was Russell who missed the tackle on the final game-winning touchdown pass for the Longhorns. But that was about the defensive call more than anything else - I don't think Russell is a guy you want locked up one-on-one on an opponent's best receiver.

Does this sound like a convincing argument for the eighth-best player on the team?

Maybe not. But I think Russell is solid. And smart. And a good teammate. And he doesn't rock the boat. And if he has played this much at Ohio State - he ranked seventh on the team in minutes played last season and has made 30 career starts, he's doing something right.

Experience at safety is a great thing, and Ohio State has it Russell and Coleman. Their main job is to keep receivers in front of them, and you watch, other teams won't hit the Buckeyes deep for big plays very often.
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The top 20 Ohio State football players for 2009: No. 8, Anderson Russell - cleveland.com
 
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Q: How was the recruiting visit for you as a parent and meeting Coach Tressel and the staff for the first time?
A: It was a most impressive recruiting trip. We still tell the story of meeting in Coach Tressel's office and him asking Anderson for "help with my collection." Coach Tressel then opened that amazing "Block O" ring box and we were all dazzled by its contents.
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Once again, Coach Tressel is the thief of all mama's hearts! :biggrin:

:oh:

:osu2:

osu.edu ROCKS!!!
 
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Anderson before his injury was a play-making standout, thereafter not so much. Seems to me he played hesitant. We really need him to recapture his old form if we expect the secondary to develop the youth.

His play IMHO is a true key in the overall success of the Buckeye's defense.


HB
 
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Official.site

Talking Camp - - Anderson Russell

Buckeye Bits: Anderson is a veteran third-year starter who can play either safety and the nickel position ... will be a leader on the Ohio State defense ... an intelligent player who studies and learns the game ... graduated with a degree in Communications in June.

Last Season (Junior): Anderson made 67 tackles for the year as the starting free safety ... 15-yard interception and six tackles against Ohio ... eight tackles at USC ... forced two Minnesota fumbles, recovering one ... also had seven stops against the Gophers ... seven tackles at Wisconsin ... pair of tackles and a pass breakup at Michigan State ... nine tackles against Penn State ... recovered a Northwestern fumble and made nine tackles ... three tackles and a PBU in Michigan win ... nine tackles, an interception and forced a fumble in the Fiesta Bowl.

On the Offensive: Anderson rushed for 758 yards, averaged 8.4 yards per carry and scored 14 touchdowns as a high school senior in a wishbone attack.

The Russell Football Lineage: Anderson's father, Kevin Russell, played football with the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL and his brother, Brandon, played at North Carolina.


What you may not know about Anderson:
  • The most inspirational person in your life is: my sister
  • Favorite international cuisine: fish tacos
  • Favorite vacation spot: Dominican Republic
  • Favorite candy: orange starburst
  • Coolest part of game day at Ohio Stadium: winning
  • My hometown is known for: Coca-Cola
  • Class you surprisingly liked: visual communication
  • Memorable advice/saying from a parent: what doesn't kill you makes you stronger
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UpNorth_Buckeye;1531643; said:
Pryor restraint is Navy's approach - Washington Times

Talking about Dobbs' arm:
"He can keep us honest," Ohio State safety Russell Anderson said. "While we do have to focus on the option a lot because that's their main attack obviously, with him having such a good arm back there, it's something that's going to force us to be disciplined so we don't fall asleep on the pass."
:sleep2:
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Curious for opinions regarding the 2 TDs that ARuss was "involved" in. I kinda thought that Russell was not ready during the first TD as he was still communicating/looking backwards w/ a teammate and then was caught in awkward position. This seemed to cause him to take a bad angle.

On the second, he seemed to have 2 choices...conceded the pass for a nice gain but make the tackle or go after the pass and if he misses...give up a huge gain. Seemed like second choice was made and bad things ensued. Thoughts?
 
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I expect to see more of Hines at the FS spot, after the performance of A.Russell. Three consecutive TD's that he was involved in dating back to last year's bowl game. Good player? Yes. But not the best Man Coverage defensive back that we have.
 
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