Minnesota Gophers RB - Gary Russell ? ( Supplemental Draft )

[woodbuck27]

#24 Gary Russell | RB
Born: September 8, 1986 Birth Place: Columbus, OH
Height: 5-11 Weight: 215 lbs. Age: 19
Pos: RB Class: Sophomore

Rushing ATT 186 | YDS 1,130 | TD 18 . . . That is a 6.1 Yard avg.


The Minesota Gophers RB Gary Russell, who it was hoped would be the featured back, following the graduation of RB Lawrence Mulroney ( the NE Pat's), may declare himself eligible for the July 13 Supplemental Draft.

Russell was dismissed from school because of academic shortcomings last winter, Russell enrolled at Inver Hills Community College with the hope of getting readmitted to Minnesota for summer school.

Mason said he hasn't received word on whether Russell did well enough at Inver Hills to get back into school. A resolution is expected any day.

"I have no control over it," Mason said. "He's out of our system. I'm prohibited from even contacting him."

If admitted to summer school, Russell, who rushed for 1,130 yards and a single-season school record of 19 touchdowns in 2005 (includ. 1 TD receiving), would still have a lot of work to do in order to become eligible this fall.

Last season (2005) Gary Russell's production #'s:

116 Yards in 11 carries ( 10.5 avg.) and 2 TD's in a win over Florida Atl.

128 yards in 18 carries ( 7.1 avg. ) and 0 TD's in a win over Michigan

139 yards in 19 carries ( 7.3 avg. ) and 2 TD's in a loss to Wisconsin.

188 yards in 28 carries ( 6.7 avg. ) and 3 TD's in a win over Indiana

Russell rushed and caught pass's for a combined 92 yard's and 3 TD's in a win over Purdue.

His combined rushing and receiving yards were 123 yards, in a loss Vs Iowa.

He also scored 2 TD's rushing in games against Tulsa and Colorado State to help cement his Team's victories.

I believe this is a young and very productive RB to keep an eye on.

I am wondering what is going on between his ears though.

Anybody see him play?


Another fella that I believe that TT should have an eye on is:

Ahmad Hall, FB, Texas:

Hall served in the Marines and wasn't eligible for the regular draft. He worked out at Texas' Pro Day on March 22 and was measured at 5-10¾, 232 pounds. He ran his 40s in 4.53 and 4.55 and also had a 35-inch vertical jump, 10-foot-9 long jump, 4.20 short shuttle, 7.21 three-cone drill and 24 bench presses.

[Pack0514]

Hey, he knows Zone Blocking. THey do it very well at Univ. of Minn. I know nothing about this guy but if he has potential, Id do it. I think RB and WR are our two areas of weakness at this point.

[woodbuck27]

Gary Russell Previous News

Jun. 22, 2006 - 8:39 pm et

Yahoo Sports reports Minnesota RB Gary Russell may pursue entry in the NFL's supplemental draft.

Russell's academic standing with the school is still unknown after he took classes at a community college this spring. To this point, Russell has not sought entry in the draft, which will be held July 13. Amir Pinnix remains the favorite to carry the load for the Gophers in 2006.
Source: Yahoo Sports


Jun. 6, 2006 - 12:32 pm et

Minnesota is still waiting to hear if RB Gary Russell will be re-admitted to the University of Minnesota.
Russell took classes at Inver Hills Community College this spring. If he received high enough grades he should be allowed to return to the Gophers' football team. If he is allowed back he will compete with Amir Pinnix for the starting running back job and have considerable fantasy value. His status should be known in the next week.
Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune


Apr. 3, 2006 - 2:03 pm et

Minnesota officials are saying that there is a 50-50 chance Gary Russell will return to Minnesota.
Russell is taking classes at Inver Hills Community College hoping to get his grade point average high enough to be readmitted to the University of Minnesota. In his absence Amir Pinnix will start for the Gophers.
Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune


Mar. 22, 2006 - 10:24 pm et

Minnesota RB Gary Russell's status for 2006 is in serious doubt.
Russell, who rushed for 1130 yards last season, left the school in February to focus on academics at a nearby junior college and was expected to reapply to UM. "I don't know," coach Glen Mason said of his chances to return. "I could get on my knees and pray to God, but God has more important things to worry about than some football player's grades."
Source: St. Paul Pioneer Press


Feb. 7, 2006 - 3:58 pm et

Gary Russell has left the University of Minnesota due to poor grades.
Russell who was expected to be one of the top running backs in the Big Ten next season has enrolled in a junior college with hopes of improving his grades so he can return to the Gophers. He was expected to step into the lineup for Laurence Maroney who left for the NFL. Russell will miss spring practice and if he can't get eligible for next season Amir Pinnix will take over the starting job.
Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune


Nov. 12, 2005 - 6:29 pm et

Gary Russell started at running back for Minnesota today against Michigan State.

Russell had 153 yards of offense and two touchdowns in the first half of the game. The two touchdowns gave him 17 for the season which ties him with Marion Barber for a school record of touchdowns in a season. He is a great addition to fantasy teams if Laurence Maroney has to miss any more games with his sprained ankle.


Nov. 9, 2005 - 10:44 am et

Gary Russell is just 118 yard away from reaching 1,000 yards rushing on the season.
If he can accomplish the milestone, Minnesota will be the first team in history to have two 1,000 yard rushers in three consecutive years.
Source: St. Paul Pioneer Press

[woodbuck27]

Hey, he knows Zone Blocking. THey do it very well at Univ. of Minn. I know nothing about this guy but if he has potential, Id do it. I think RB and WR are our two areas of weakness at this point.

That is exactly my thinking, Pack0514.

I'm watching for any inside edge we may get on bringing in talent at RB and WR by any means possible.

[woodbuck27]

Brandt's supplemental draft primer


By Gil Brandt
NFL.com Senior Analyst


(June 22, 2006) -- For those of you experiencing a little post-NFL draft withdrawal, there's good news: The 2006 Supplemental Draft is just around the corner.

Draft order is determined by a weighted system that is divided into three groupings. First come the teams that had six or fewer wins last season, followed by non-playoff teams that had more than six wins, followed by the 12 playoff teams.

The first time the supplemental draft came into play was in 1977, when Al Hunter, a running back from Notre Dame, was selected in the fourth round by the Seattle Seahawks.

Of course, in order for a team to select someone, it must have that choice available in the following year's regular draft -- and that's the pick it will give up to make the supplemental pick.

Some of the names you might recall who have been selected in supplemental drafts through the years include linebacker Brian Bosworth, a first-round pick of the Seahawks in 1987; Washington State QB Timm Rosenbach, taken by the Cardinals in 1989; Miami QB Steve Walsh, also taken in 1989 by the Dallas Cowboys; and Duke QB Dave Brown, who was selected by the Giants in 1992.

More recently, San Diego defensive tackle Jamal Williams was a second-round supplemental pick in 1998, and he has become a terrific run-stuffer for the Chargers.

The paperwork hasn't officially been filed yet for the supplemental draft this year, but there are at least four players who will get a close look from scouts around the league:

Ahmad Brooks, LB, Virginia: A national defensive player of the year coming out of high school, Brooks had an outstanding 2004 season for the Cavaliers in 2004, but got hurt last year.

Jason Berryman, DE, Iowa State: At about 240 pounds, he's probably a linebacker in a 3-4 scheme.

David Dixon, LB: Dixon is from Galveston, Texas, and last played at Hutchinson Community College in Kansas in 2004.

Ahmad Hall, FB, Texas: Hall served in the Marines and wasn't eligible for the regular draft. He worked out at Texas' Pro Day on March 22 and was measured at 5-10¾, 232 pounds. He ran his 40s in 4.53 and 4.55 and also had a 35-inch vertical jump, 10-foot-9 long jump, 4.20 short shuttle, 7.21 three-cone drill and 24 bench presses.

Of course, NFL.com will have news on these and other players who file for the supplemental draft, so rest easy. There's more draft analysis on the way!


Update on Brooks, 6/22

Brooks held a workout for pro scouts on June 22 at the University of Virginia. On a 96-degree day and the heat index up at 110, Brooks ran on AstroTurf and worked out on grass that was dried-out. Bengals linebacker coach Ricky Hunley conducted the workout. There were representatives from 31 teams at the workout, with only the Vikings not in attendance. Mike Nolan from the 49ers was the only head coach there. He was joined by San Francisco VP of player personnel Scot McCloughan. Brooks will work out for the 49ers at their place for two days next week. Randy Mueller of the Dolphins, Mike Murphy from the Cowboys and Calvin Branch from the Raiders were also there. Brooks lost 32 pounds in 10 weeks (he was measured at 6-foot-3, 260 pounds) and passed five drug tests in the last 10 weeks. He ran three times, timed at 4.68, 4.75 and 4.74 in the 40, with 10-yard splits of 1.53, 1.58 and 1.58 and 20-yard splits of 2.73, 2.75 and 2.75. His arm span measured 33½ inches and his hands measured 9½. He had a 32-inch vertical jump, a 9-foot-8 long jump, a 4.43 short shuttle, an 11.84 long shuttle, a 7.43 three-cone drill and 19 benches. The conditions were not really good, just average.

The day before the workout, Brooks met with John Dorsey and Reggie McKenzie (GB), had a meeting with Ricky Hunley (CIN) and had dinner with Jerry Reese (NYG).

Brooks, who played linebacker in college but might project as a Julius Peppers-type defensive end in the pros, missed six games with a right knee injury last year. He visited Dr. James Andrews on June 12 for the knee to be examined and that report was made available to all NFL teams.

Brooks' father, Perry Brooks, was a defensive tackle whom New England drafted in Round 7 in 1976. He never played for New England but played 92 games for Washington.

He will continue to work out under Chip Smith in Atlanta.


Update on Berryman, 6/13

There were 17 teams at his workout, including John Dorsey (GB), Scott McCloughan (SF) and Kent McCloughan (Scott's father) from the Raiders. That's a large contingent. He worked out indoors on what was considered a slow track. Dorsey conducted the drills, which lasted 45 minutes, and Berryman did a good job.

[woodbuck27]

David Dixon, linebacker, Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College –

Dixon, who was one of the top-rated defenders in the junior college ranks, failed to qualify academically at Kansas State, but he is noted for his speed and athleticism, running in the 4.4 range, leaping between 42 to 44 inches in the vertical jump and bench-pressing over 450 pounds. He had 161 tackles, including a total of 43 tackles behind the line of scrimmage, 8½ sacks and five blocked kicks, which gave him a total of 10 in just two years.

"He's the best athlete I have ever seen at this level", said longtime NFL scout Tom Marino of Dixon. "He's just not big into school work, but he has all the instincts, physical tools and natural talent to become a starting linebacker in the NFL one day."

Dixon just turned 21 years old this past February, so combined with his eye-opening workout numbers, impressive natural size (6-2, 245 pounds) and on-field talents, he should warrant a lot of consideration if he gains eligibility to July's draft.

[woodbuck27]

This year's supplemental draft takes place on July 13th and it is held in cyberspace, via email. It used to be held by conference call.

Who Is Eligible For The NFL Supplemental Draft? College players that missed eligibility for the traditional April NFL draft but have decided to enter the NFL, usually because the cannot return to college for one reason or another (usually academic) or who have simply decided to enter the draft early.

The NFL supplemental draft is held only if players declare for it; if no players decide to enter the supplemental draft, there is no draft.

How Does The NFL Supplemental Draft Work? A team that picks a player in the supplemental draft must forfeit a corresponding pick in the following year's regular draft. So, for example, if the Packers take a player in the third round of the supplemental draft, they could not use their third round pick in the following year's April draft.

Conversely, if the Packers had traded away their 2006 third round pick, they could not pick in the third round of this year's supplemental draft. Obviously, teams will be reluctant to risk high-round picks on supplemental draft players. Due the nature of the supplemental draft, there are obviously not nearly as many players available as in the regular draft. These two factors cause many teams to pass on the supplemental draft. Draft order is determined by a complicated semi-lottery system. If any of the players who entered the supplemental draft are not selected, they can become free agents and may sign with any team.

[packrulz]

Russell sounds good and I was disappointed TT didn't get Calhoun so a RB would improve our depth even though he doesn't have much experience. I wonder about his academic issues too, too much partying?

[woodbuck27]

Russell sounds good and I was disappointed TT didn't get Calhoun so a RB would improve our depth even though he doesn't have much experience. I wonder about his academic issues too, too much partying?

Detroit is looking for big things from him in their future.

[Tony Oday]

Russell is a fricken punk. Parties WAY too much and has that 'thug' attitude that the world has done him wrong. I say no fricken way

[woodbuck27]

Russell is a fricken punk. Parties WAY too much and has that 'thug' attitude that the world has done him wrong. I say no fricken way

Of course Tony any prospect will be examined for brains and character before we would go out and try to get him. It sure doesn't appear as though he has any keenness for the books.

[SD GB fan]

didnt brett party A LOT his first few years? iunno maybe if mccarthy lives up to his no nonsense football, lightning might strike twice. of course, that is, if the packers are interested and if he even enters the NFL.

[Sparkey]

Russel is not eligible until Jan 2007 to be drafted or a free agent because he is not yet three years removed from hs graduation.

[woodbuck27]

Ex-Virginia LB Brooks draws Dolphins' attention

By Harvey Fialkov
South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Posted June 27 2006

Nearly a year after selecting defensive tackle Manny Wright in the fifth round of the supplemental draft, the Dolphins are apparently considering a similar route to bolster their linebacker corps.

Dolphins General Manager Randy Mueller and scout Bill Baker attended a recent workout of former University of Virginia linebacker Ahmad Brooks. Brooks' agent Greg Williams said that his client also went to Michigan State to talk with psychologist Lon Rosen, who Dolphins coach Nick Saban often employs to conduct character-related interviews of players with off-field issues.

Brooks, one of the nation's top prospects coming out of high school, led the Cavaliers in tackles as a true freshman in 2003 and again in 2004 when he was All-ACC and a Butkus Award finalist.

In 2003, Brooks was arrested on a misdemeanor marijuana charge, but the charge was later dismissed.

Brooks played in six games with just 27 tackles last season because of knee and ankle injuries.

Virginia coach Al Groh kicked him off the team in March because of "focus, commitment and dependability" problems.

At 260 pounds, Brooks has lost 30 pounds while working out with Competitive Edge Sports in Atlanta.

"His past problems are behind him," Williams said. "He is drug-free and 100 percent healthy. He has the ability to be the best linebacker in the NFL within two years."

The supplemental draft is July 13.

[woodbuck27]

Must-have Cav?

By John Murphy, Yahoo! Sports
June 24, 2006




Ahmad Brooks has the skills to be a first-day selection in the NFL draft, but two talent evaluators who reviewed the former Virginia linebacker's tapes and workout believe he will slide somewhere between Rounds 3 and 5 in this year's supplemental draft.

Brooks, one of four prospects granted "special" eligibility this week for the July 13 draft, worked out for scouts and coaches on Thursday. He was timed between 4.69 and 4.75 seconds in the 40-yard dash and registered a 32-inch vertical jump and a 9-foot-8 broad jump.

While those in attendance were pleased to see Brooks weigh-in at 6-foot-3 and 260 pounds – 26 pounds lighter than his original training weight with Chip Smith of Competitive Edge Sports in Atlanta – most scouts noted that he struggled some with his footwork in the shuttle drills (4.42 seconds in the short shuttle, 7.41 in the three-cone and 11.80 in the 60-yard shuttle) and produced average results in the bench press for his size (19 repetitions at 225 pounds). Still, they felt Brooks looked in good shape.

Known to be an underachiever with some lazy habits, Brooks reportedly has had off-field issues with failed drug tests at Virginia.

His agent, Gregory Williams, told team decision-makers that his client had successfully passed five independently administered drug tests in the past three months. Also, a full medical evaluation of Brooks' previous right knee injury was provided to teams by Dr. James Andrews, whom Brooks had visited a few weeks ago in preparation for Thursday's workout.

Most 3-4 scheme teams see Brooks as being a good fit inside, while others feel he can play outside and put in some work at rush end in passing situations. Everyone is in agreement that having a solid support staff and veteran leadership on the defensive side of the ball will be crucial to keeping Brooks in line.


The Green Bay Packers, Miami Dolphins, New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, Oakland Raiders and San Francisco 49ers were the teams that paid close attention to Brooks' workout, which was conducted by Cincinnati Bengals linebacker coach Ricky Hunley. The Packers, Bengals and Giants met with Brooks on Wednesday. Next week, he will travel to San Francisco to visit with 49ers officials and take a physical.

SUPPLEMENTAL DRAFT NOTES


Ex-Texas fullback Ahmard Hall worked out in front of scouts from the Packers and Tennessee Titans inside the Longhorns' practice bubble on Thursday. Hall, who had previously impressed scouts at the school's pro day in late March, decided to stick with those results and not risk possible injury, but he did catch passes after measuring in at 5-10 and 236 pounds.

Former Delaware wide receiver David Boler, who was deemed to be a free agent by the NFL's player personnel department after the NCAA ruled against his request for an extra year of eligibility, has been receiving interest from a handful of teams, including the Arizona Cardinals. Boler hopes to set up a workout date over the next few weeks.

Northern Illinois linebacker Javan Lee, who learned this week that he will not be given a sixth year of eligibility from the NCAA, planned to contact the NFL's player personnel office to inquire about becoming a supplemental draft prospect or a free agent. Lee could also explore options to attend a NAIA program, since NAIA schools abide by different rules to judge semesters used by student/athletes. A defensive back turned outside linebacker, Lee is roughly 6-foot-2 and 222 pounds with good range. He recorded over 100 tackles before missing what would have been his senior campaign due to hernia surgery. Lee has been estimated to run the 40 in the 4.6-second range.

Ex-Minnesota running back Gary Russell must wait until at least January 2007 in order to make himself eligible for the NFL.

Russell, who isn't enrolled at the school after attending a local-area community college to work on his grades earlier this spring, would not qualify for the supplemental draft since he is not yet three years removed from his high school graduation. Russell's father, Gary Sr., has noted to several sources that his son will attempt to transfer to a lower level of college football, but that would have to be a NAIA program since Division I-AA, Division II and Division III schools all abide by the same academic eligibility rules as Division I-A schools (i.e., a student/athlete deemed ineligible cannot participate at any other NCAA level program).