Two visits planned for Russell

SEATTLE - KeiVarae Russell is not giving away too many secrets in his recruitment but he said Sunday at the Seattle NIKE Camp that two official visits are planned to Notre Dame and Washington, a small hint that those two programs are high on his list.

"I'm going to give Notre Dame an official," said Russell, the running back MVP at the camp. "Washington is going to get my last official for sure. Those are two places that are definitely going to get official visits.

"That's a sign they're sticking out because they're the schools that are recruiting me the hardest right now. Both of their academics are high and both are getting really good commits."

It should be a long time before Russell figures out his other three trips and definitely a while before the four-star running back from Everett (Wash.) Mariner makes his decision. He plans to wait things out, take his visits and then make his commitment closer to signing day. Being patient could be tough but it's what Russell has decided to do.

"I'm going to wait," Russell said. "It's hard because sometimes you want to get it over with but I want to see what every place has to offer. Having these offers is a blessing so I'm just enjoying it right now."

Purdue was the latest offer for Russell, who also has Arizona, Arizona State, Boise State, Cal, Colorado, Idaho, Notre Dame, Oregon State, Stanford, UCLA, Utah, Vanderbilt, Washington, Washington State and Wyoming on his list.

It's been slow recently but Russell, rated eighth at running back and No. 106 in the 2012 class by Rivals.com, feels like it's going to pick back up soon.

"It was low key for a while because I took a little time off because finals were happening and I'm (school council) president now so I'm trying to get the school going with that," Russell said.

"I've been focusing on training camp but it's going to pick up soon. I can feel it. All the schools that have been recruiting me have started to get back on me. The train is going to start moving again real soon."

If Russell can find the money, he plans to take some unofficial visits this summer but nothing has been firmed up yet. He might just wait for the fall so he can take some free trips and then make his decision.

In his junior season, Russell finished with 1,232 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns on 159 carries. He also had two receiving scores.