RECRUITING: ‘We Love Russell’
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LSU quarterback commitment Russell Shepard back from Baton Rouge
by Daniel Mingea III
Tiger Rag Recruiting Analyst
Read Daniel Mingea III”s Recruiting Blog on NOLA.com. Click HERE!
He’s regarded as one of the best high school quarterbacks in the country for the class of 2009.
He is as dangerous with his legs as with his arm, just ask his opponents. He plays in the biggest state in the country and plays in front of fans that live and die by their high school football. He is known as the players’ coach as he is aiding the Tigers’ staff in landing the top recruiting class for 2009. He has done all of this, but Russell Shepard (6′2, 185, 4.4) has never watched a collegiate football game from the stands.
That changed on Saturday as the Cypress Ridge High School product took in his very first college game inside of Tiger Stadium.
“It was a good experience,” Shepard expressed. “I got to spend some time with Andre Debose, Ray Ray Armstrong, Dyron Dye, Chris Faulk, and Chris Davenport. I feel like I already have a good relationship with Faulk and Davenport. Talking to them at the game felt like I’ve been knowing those two guys for years.
“I think the Florida guys were impressed by our relationships too,” Shepard continued. “Ray and Dyron really didn’t say too much at the game. They’re quiet dudes, but I was with Andre for the entire game. He seemed very excited and I know his father likes LSU a lot.”
Hanging with the recruits added to Shepard’s first game experience, but he was amazed before the ball was even kicked-off.
“I walked on the field during pregame and there were probably like 15,000 people in the stands and then I went back inside to talk to coach [Les] Miles. When I came back out there were like 95,000 strong in the stands. That was crazy! I love how the city stands behind its team. It was just an amazing time.
“LSU fans are second-to-none,” Shepard continued. “When I was on the field I could hear the fans shouting my name saying ‘we love Russell’. It was an amazing feeling considering I haven’t even stepped on the field yet as a player.”
Once the game began Shepard was just as impressed with what he witnessed on the field.
“LSU has a good defense,” Shepard claimed. “That’s a feisty bunch of guys. I thought the whole team did good against a good Mississippi State team. That was a team that barely lost to Auburn.
“I could see [Jarrett] Lee being the quarterback for the next three or four years,” Shepard admitted. “I was impressed with how he led the team. He threw an interception, but then came right back and threw a touchdown pass. And then of course Charles Scott ran the ball well.”
LSU’s victory over the Bulldogs combined with a few weekend-upsets left the Tigers on Sunday evening ranked #2 or #3 in the country depending on the poll. Are the Tigers worthy of their rankings?
“I guess people could debate that if they wanted to,” Shepard answered. “But I think LSU played well and if they’re ranked #2 or #3 then I think they deserve it. Although, I’d like to see them ranked #1. I’m proud of the way they’ve played so far this season. The next four or five weeks are going to be big tests for them though.
“They still have to play two amazing teams in Florida and Georgia,” Shepard concluded. “Even though they were both upset this weekend, they’re still dangerous. Florida has a Heisman winner in Tim Tebow and Georgia has arguably the best running back in the country in Knowshon Moreno. Then Ole Miss is going to be tough too. All of the remaining games will be tests for LSU.”
“I love how the city stands behind its team. ”
Someone close to Russell needs to inform him that it’s NOT just the city of Baton Rouge that supports the Tigers! The fan base extends well beyond the state line, let alone the city limits and he needs to remember that!!!
Also, if he wants to build relationships with the existing Tigers he needs to keep his comments about who the best running back in the country might be.
“Florida has a Heisman winner in Tim Tebow and Georgia has arguably the best running back in the country in Knowshon Moreno.”
Charles Scott might not agree with that!!! Especially when you consider Scott has played four games, carried 71 times and averages 133.8 YPG while Moreno has played five games, carried 78 times and only averages 97.8 YPG!!!
Hey! Darrell take it easy . Don’t chase him off we have the guy locked up, don’t go off on him before he get’s here. He’s just eighteen, bssides he didn’ mean anything disrespectfull. Remember he is doing a pretty good job of recruiting what might be the number one recruiting class of 2009.
Hey Darrell. People like are the reason LSU fans get a bad rap. He was in THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE for the game.
Like my little brother states, this Russell kid is a respectful young fellow. We haven’t had a recruit like him yet pushing LSU on the other hopefuls. Save the insightful meanspirited emails for the NFL websites. He seems like a real team minded player. Not too many like him these days.
Frank Ochello
Del Rio, Texas
Hey darrell keep that trash to yourself. If you want to talk like that join Nick saban in AL we do not want that in bayou country.
Hey Darryl,
He said “arguably” the best RB in the nation. Which is a true statement. KM is arguably one of the best in the country. I will just arge that C. Scott is the best. Take it easy man. And I love the advice already said that if you want to bash a player, bash a player who is getting paid, i.e., the NFL players.
Dear Darrell,
Sheppard is the future of tiger football .. for god sakes the game was played in freakin BATON ROUGE .. he is a respectavle kid a will be a hell of a football player.. he hasent even hasent even dawned the purple and gold uniform yet and you are already bashing..
HE IS ARGUABLY ONE OF THE BEST RECRUTS LSU HAS EVER LANDED .. THE GUY MEANT NO OFFENSE BY IT ….KNOWSHON IS A DAMN GOOD PLAYER IF YOU HADENT NOTICED YOU IDIOT..
I QUESTION YOUR LOVE FOR THE TIGERS DARRELL
Russelll<33