Russell is name to remember
Jalen Russell might not be a big name in recruiting circles yet but the 2016 cornerback from Murrieta (Calif.) Vista Murrieta has a lot of potential.
And he has some big games in the playoffs to get things rolling.
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Russell, a 5-foot-11, 170-pound prospect, had two interceptions with one returned for a touchdowns in Vista Murrieta's victory over Upland, Calif., on Friday night.
The previous week he returned a fumble for a touchdown and had another pick. The 2016 recruit said he's definitely going to send out those highlight films in the hopes of landing more attention.
"On the touchdown I read the quarterback's eyes," Russell said. "He was dialed in on the out route so I went and got it and ran it back."
Recruiting has picked up for Russell this season but no offers have come in yet. Still, with his performances this postseason, attention should be on the way.
"I've been hearing from Duke, San Diego State, Arizona, Utah and that's pretty much it right now," Russell said. "The biggest one so far is Duke. They're sending the most mail.
"Everybody wants to see more. Hopefully these playoff games and the stats will get them to look at me. I'm very, very excited. I'm very proud of my team. It was a team effort, not an individual effort. I couldn't do this without my guys."
An injury sidelined him this past off-season but he's back and has become a shutdown corner. So far this season, Russell has 45 tackles and three interceptions. Vista Murrieta plays Mission Viejo, Calif., in the next round of playoffs this weekend.
"I broke my fibula (in the off-season) so I was out the whole time," Russell said.
"I struggled the first couple games of the season trying to get my feet back but I got it back. I had an 82-yard touchdown on a fumble recovery and one interception and now I got two interceptions and took one back."