QB Russell opting in; WR Johnson wavering

Originally Published: December 28, 2006
By Todd McShay | Scouts Inc.
Underclassmen intent on entering the 2007 NFL draft have until Jan. 15 to file paperwork with the league, which will distribute the official list of eligible players to the 32 NFL teams on Jan. 19. Between now and then, rumors will swirl. Here are some of the things I've been hearing from sources close to each situation:

Russell to declare: LSU QB JaMarcus Russell reportedly has made his mind up to leave school early and enter the draft. Russell feels his draft stock has peaked following his 332-yard passing performance in the Sugar Bowl victory over Notre Dame, which capped a seven-game winning streak for the Tigers.

Last year, the two top-rated quarterbacks in the draft -- Matt Leinart (USC) and Vince Young (Texas) -- faced off in the Rose Bowl, then competed throughout the spring to see which would be the first quarterback to come off the board. This year, Russell and Sugar Bowl counterpart Brady Quinn of Notre Dame will jockey for the honor of being the top quarterback -- and possibly the top overall player -- selected in the draft.


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Todd McShay

Scouts Inc.
  • ESPN College Football and NFL Draft Analyst
  • Joined ESPN in 2006
  • Played quarterback in high school and was a backup QB for the University of Richmond.

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