RB talks about decision

Donald Russell says he had a hard choice to make. But in the end, he went with his gut and picked the school that he said was the better fit between Kentucky and Southern Miss. Russell, a 5-11 and 205 pounds running back from Palm Beach Gardens (Fla.) Dwyer High School, committed to the Wildcats last night.

"First, the academic program at Kentucky is great," Russell said. "That's the thing I looked at first with everyone. The environment there was nice and the coaches at Kentucky are so cool. There will be great competition at the running back position and that fires me up. Then, this the SEC we are talking about and I have a chance to play right away in that league. It's one of the best conferences in college football. I also grew close to the coaching staff, especially coach Petri."

Still, it was a hard decision for this three-star prospect from South Florida.

"It really was because I really liked Southern Miss. It's a very good school. I just felt like I had a better relationship with the coaches at Kentucky and it just felt like a better place to me. It was the better fit."

Russell rushed for 893 yards (80 carries) and 12 touchdowns this season.