Elyria Catholics Russ earns college attention

Elyria (Ohio) Catholic head coach Ben Malbasa knows he has a talented team coming back this fall and one of his top prospects is wide receiver/defensive end Josh Russ. The 6-5, 220-pound Russ was a deep play threat on offense for the Panthers this year, but also has the physical tools to project on defense or tight end.

"I think what makes him an elite level prospect is the combination of size and speed," Coach Malbasa said. "In a game that loves speed and increasingly likes long frames, he has both.

"He's a person who caught a slant pattern and went for a touchdown to open a game and also a person who can come off the edge and get to the quarterback. I think he just possesses a very unique body in addition to being a hard worker and really good young man.

"My guess is he probably ends up as a tight end. That's not what any (college coaches) have said to me, but I can just see him at tight end because he has good speed, good hands and he can push the seam. At the same time, I think he is big enough that a college weight program and nutrition program (will make him) a pretty dominant figure at that position."

Coach Malbasa has had Mid-American Conference schools tell him they do not think they'll have a shot at getting Russ, yet the talented Ohio native has not picked up his first offer yet. Several schools have started to show interest, however.

"I've talked with coaches at Michigan State and Cincinnati and both have expressed interest," Coach Malbasa said. "Illinois has shown some interest at points, but I have not had a conversation with an Illinois coach yet, so I'm not sure how interested they are."

Russ has responded to the inquiries and taken several unofficial visits already to Michigan State, Cincinnati and Toledo. He is also planning to take in a practice at Ohio State later this spring.

As a junior, Russ played primarily on offense and caught 36 passes for 691 yards and six touchdowns. Those efforts earned him first team all-Ohio honors in Division 4 as well as all-league, all-county and all-district first team accolades.