LSU Quarterback Russell Going Pro

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) _ LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell said Wednesday he'll skip his senior season and enter the NFL draft. <br/><br/>``It kind of hit me toward the end of the season that I was going

Thursday, January 11th 2007, 6:33 am

By: News On 6

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) _ LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell said Wednesday he'll skip his senior season and enter the NFL draft.

``It kind of hit me toward the end of the season that I was going to make that jump,'' Russell said at a news conference.

After a standout performance in the Sugar Bowl last week, the 6-foot-6, 257-pound Russell had been expected to declare early for the draft.

Russell, a native of Mobile, Ala., threw for 6,525 yards and 52 touchdowns in three seasons with LSU, two as a full-time starter. He threw for 332 yards and two TDs in the Sugar Bowl to help the Tigers (11-2) beat Notre Dame 41-14.

Had he stayed, Russell would have been considered a strong Heisman Trophy contender. He also would have been under the oversight of a new offensive coordinator after Jimbo Fisher accepted Florida State's coordinator job.

``We gave him every bit of information that might allow him to choose _ either go or stay,'' coach Les Miles said.

He said he thought Russell and his family made a good decision and predicted Russell could go as high as No. 1 in the draft.

Russell, who brought his family to the news conference, said he hadn't yet signed with an agent. When asked what his draft preference was, Russell replied, ``Whoever picks first and whoever pays the most.''

His departure starts a two-man competition to replace him between Matt Flynn, who will be a senior next season, and Ryan Perrilloux, who will be a sophomore. Miles said Flynn had the edge for the job, but he wouldn't decide until after spring practice.

Russell faced a Jan. 15 deadline to declare for the draft.