Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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fall. He didn't know that despite missing three games of his senior season Russell would end his career at Mariner with 4,557 rushing yards, multiple all-conference nods on both sides of the ball and a trip to the U.S. Army All-American Bowl Jan. 7 in San Antonio. Mariner head coach John On- FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE RB KEIVARAE RUSSELL driezek said Russell's stats could have been more impressive if he was a more selfish player. He routinely moved around and gave up carries to help the team win, Ondriezek noted. In a close game in October against rival Kamiak High, Russell came to the sideline and asked his coach to stop giving him the ball and use him as a decoy. On the next play, Kamiak's defense bit on a fake hand-off, and Russell's teammate, Dominique Law, ran 69 yards for a touchdown. Mariner ended up win- ning the game 21-17. "He's a team leader by example pass-catching ability, might come in handy at Notre Dame. The 6-0, 175-pound running back fits the mold to play as a slot receiver in Kel- ly's spread offense. Russell worked as a receiver at the U.S. Army All- American Bowl and had one catch for 10 yards. With a crowded backfield and a and a very humble, unselfish foot- ball player," Ondriezek said. "He's someone that you just know is going to make a difference in the world some day." Russell's selflessness, and his wide-open receivers' depth chart, the running back could shift into the role previously held by rising senior Theo Riddick when he is ready to see the field. Russell said if he had to choose between one of the two positions he would find it hard to turn away from the running back spot that has gotten him this far, but he said he loves playing both positions and in- tends to make catching passes a big part of his game when he arrives at Notre Dame. "A number of schools were inter- ested in KeiVarae because he is a versatile player," Ondriezek said (Russell had offers from Washing- ton, Cal, Oregon, Boise State and many others). "He can be used at a number of positions, and the good thing about him is that he doesn't care where he plays. … I think he is the total package." ✦ www.BLUEANDGOLD.com 4.55 seconds, bench presses 235 pounds and has registered a vertical leap of 37.6 inches … Played basketball as a fresh- man but gave it up after an injury … Also ran track and swam during high school … Wants to major in sociology … Served as Mariner's student council president as a senior and junior class president the previous year. Rankings: Ranked as a four-star prospect, the third-best 6-0 · 175 · Mariner · Everett, Wash. Notable: Born on Oct. 19, 1993 … Runs the 40-yard dash in player in Washington, the fifth-best all-purpose back in the country and the 122nd-best overall recruit in the land by 247Sports … Listed as a four-star prospect, the No. 3 player in Washington, the country's No. 9 athlete and the No. 124 overall recruit nationally by Rivals.com … Tabbed as the No. 12 tailback and No. 138 overall player in the class of 2012 by MaxPreps.com and Tom Lemming … Rated as a four-star recruit, the country's 24th-most talented running back and the 207th-best player overall nationally by Scout.com … Ranked as the No. 4 prospect in Washington and the No. 12 running back in the country by SuperPrep … Considered a three-start prospect, the fifth-best player in the state and the No. 26 running back in the country by ESPNU. Statistics: Ran for 4,557 yards and 50 touchdowns in his high school career … Missed three full games Russell racked up 4,557 yards and 50 touchdowns on the ground dur- ing his four-year career at Everett (Wash.) Mariner. PHOTO COURTESY U.S. ARMY ALL-AMERICAN BOWL of the top 100 players in the West … Named first-team all-state at running back by the Associated Press … Selected to the first-team all-area squad by the Everett Herald and finished second in the voting for All-Area Offensive Player of the Year … Named a two-time all-conference defensive back. All-Star Games And Camps: Played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio Jan. 7 … Caught one pass for five yards for the West team in a 24-12 victory. Brian Kelly's Comments: "I think the first thing hit me when recruiting KeiVarae was his personality — as a senior due to injury, but rushed for 1,293 yards and 14 touchdowns on 177 attempts, while catch- ing five passes for 69 yards and a score … Had his best season as junior, picking up 1,850 yards and 20 touchdowns on 288 carries … Rushed 159 times for 1,232 yards and 14 touchdowns as sophomore, plus had five receptions for 120 yards and two scores … Also played defensive back as a sophomore, notch- ing 25 tackles and three interceptions … Carried 36 times for 182 yards and two scores as a freshman. Honors: Named an All-American by SuperPrep … … Earned a spot on the Tacoma News Tribune's list always positive, always talking about the future and what he hopes to accomplish. I love being around young men that have a plan, that have an understanding of what their future looks like and how Notre Dame can best help them get there." Mariner Head Coach John Ondriezek's Comments: "He has size, speed, great athleticism, outstand- at running back, free safety or cornerback. His football IQ is very high, catches the ball well coming out of the backfield, and has proven to be a well rounded running back. He possesses a brilliant burst and excellent speed. When he's on, he's on. Once he finds the crease, he's a threat to go the distance. A good cut-back runner who seems to see the hole before it [appears]." Recruitment: Thought to be headed to nearby University of Washington throughout his recruiting ing grades — and he's involved in school activities. More importantly, he's just a great kid, a great person. He's someone that you just know is going to make a difference in the world someday." Tom Lemming Of Prep Football Report: "'Special K' shows the ability to become a big-time ballplayer process … Also had offers from all the Pac-12 schools and considered Cal and Oregon as possibilities … Recruited primarily by Irish coach Mike Denbrock … Visited Notre Dame's campus Oct. 22 to watch the USC game … Committed to Notre Dame Dec. 29, the day of Notre Dame's loss to Florida State in the Champs Sports Bowl. Favorite Part Of Notre Dame Visit: "Seeing Touchdown Jesus was cool, but also just seeing the inten- sity from the crowd [during Notre Dame's 31-17 loss to USC]." Why He Chose Notre Dame: "Academics played a huge role in the recruiting process. Notre Dame is at the top in academics, they graduate 98 percent of their football players and with that degree so many doors open up." Scouting Report: Elusiveness quickly stands out on tape … Is able to set up an opening well … He gets the ball outside with patience and can turn it up the field for the home run … A good decision-maker and can hit another gear, which is needed in the offense … Skill set complements Will Mahone's well and fits the mold of a Theo Riddick that can make plays in the ground game or line up as a receiver. 2012 Projection: Has the versatility to line up as a slot receiver or a running back for Notre Dame … Has a better chance to see the field as a receiver with rising senior Theo Riddick likely moving back to running back along with Cierre Wood and at least two more members of the current Irish roster … Also has the speed and ball skills to make an impact on a number of special teams units during his freshman year. MARCH 2012 41