JaMarcus Russell

JaMarcus Russell is a retired professional football player originally from Alabama. He spent three years in the National Football League as a Quarterback for the Oakland Raiders.

Throughout his career, his tenure was marked by inconsistent play and questions over his work ethic, and due to the short length of his career after being the first pick, he is widely considered one of the NFL's biggest draft busts.

Player Profile, High School, and College Career

JaMarcus Trenell Russell was born on August 9, 1985, in Mobile, Alabama, United States of America. The Quarterback stands 198 cm tall, and his weight was last listed at 120 kg.

He attended Lillie B. Williamson High School in his hometown. As a prep athlete, he started and never missed a football game in four years, eventually breaking the Alabama High School Athletic Association record for career passing yards with 10,774.

He also played basketball and track and field. Following graduation, Russell committed to play for Louisiana State University from 2003 to 2006. During his time there, he won the Manning Award as a junior and became the most valuable player of the 2007 Sugar Bowl.

Professional Career

He was selected by the Oakland Raiders during the 2007 NFL Draft. They picked him in round 1, and he was the 1st overall selection.

During his professional career, he struggled to meet expectations. He was released from Oakland in 2010 and, despite attempts at an NFL return, was unable to sign with another team.

Following his playing days, he served as a volunteer assistant coach at his alma mater, Williamson High School, from 2018 until the fall of 2023.

Career Highlights:

• 2006 – Manning Award
• 2006 – First-team All-SEC
• 2003 – BCS National Champion