Anthony Russo

Russo is a classic overachiever and the kind of player New York Giants fans will liken to one of their cult heroes, Phil McKonkey. Like McConkey, Russo has made his living by doing a little bit of everything, whether it is catching the ball, returning punts and kicks or serving on the coverage units. He played multiple receiver positions for the Huskies, earning 37 career starts in 46 games. He continued to show steady improvement as a receiver each season, going from sixth on the reception chart as a freshman, to third in 2005, second in 2006 and first on the squad as a senior. At Lakes High School, Russo earned first-team All-Seamount League as both a running back and kick returner following his junior year, adding All-League honors at wide receiver as a senior. He was listed as a "Red Chip" recruit by the Seattle Times, earning honorable mention on the Tacoma News Tribune's 2003 Northwest Nuggets team. He was selected by the Tacoma News Tribune for its Western 100 Team and was rated the seventh-best player in Washington by Super Prep. Russo helped lead his team to a 12-1 record and the semifinals of the state 3A champion-ship in 2002. He rushed for 683 yards as a senior and had 19 receptions for 331 yards and five touchdowns during his final campaign. In 2003, Russo enrolled at Washington, spending the season on the sidelines as a redshirt. He played in 10 games during the 2004 campaign, sitting out the Arizona contest with a right ankle sprain. He started as a slot receiver vs. San Jose State and finished sixth on the team with 11 receptions for 139 yards (12.6-yard average), including one touchdown. He posted two solo tackles and returned 15 kickoffs for 264 yards (17.6-yard average) on special teams. As a sophomore, Russo took over split end chores, starting all 11 games. He ranked third on the team with 30 receptions for 487 yards (16.2-yard average) and a touchdown. He started all 12 contests in 2006 and caught 32 passes, second on the team, good for 552 yards (17.2-yard average) and two scores. In 2007, Russo had a banner senior season, starting all 13 games. He paced the Huskies with 49 receptions for 766 yards (15.6-yard average) and five touchdowns. He rushed seven times for 28 yards and took over as punt returner, gaining 222 yards on 22 attempts, as his 10.1-yard average ranked second in the Pac-10 Conference and 34th nationally.

positives

Flashes good foot quickness and acceleration off the snap...Has the body control to make sharp cuts in his routes...Very alert of the sideline, maintaining balance and adjusting in coverage...Creates separation from the defender with his burst, showing the vision to keep track of the ball in flight...Has the moves needed to uncover and the speed to get open in the short area...Fearless in traffic, asserting himself to combat and reach for the ball at its highest point...Secures the ball immediately and rarely puts the ball on ground when taking on contact...Willing to extend and fight for the off-target passes...Has the foot agility and hip swerve to gain acceleration after the catch... Position and pester-type of blocker with the strength an effort to sustain...Has the change-of-direction mobility to make defenders miss...Has the body control to make acrobatic catches at tough angles...While not a tackle-breaker, he has the vision and quickness needed to avoid.

compares to

RYNE ROBINSON-Carolina...Like Robinson, Russo's hope for a roster spot might be as a punt returner/slot receiver. He has good speed to get into his routes, if he gets a clean release, but even with decent timed speed, he lacks explosiveness. Still, he is that "lunch pail" type that will do whatever the coaches ask.

negatives

Struggles to separate fully from defenders in tight coverage (defenders maintain contact with their hands)...Has very small hands and lacks flexibility in his digits to prevent dropping easy passes...While tough in traffic, he loses his concentration at times when hearing the defender close in on him...Does not always finish his routes with speed...Very lean in the legs and has skinny calves, preventing him from getting good leg drive...Tends to round his routes a bit, taking wasted steps...Better vertically than horizontally...While he has natural hands, he prefers to body catch too much.

2004: Sat out the California game (11/13) with a right ankle sprain.

Campus: 4.51 in the 40-yard dash

34-inch vertical jump

Bench pressed 225 pounds 18 times

11.05 60-yard shuttle.

Attended Lakes (Lakewood, Wash.) High School, playing football for head coach Dave Miller

Earned first-team All-Seamount League as both a running back and kick returner following his junior year, adding All-League honors at wide receiver as a senior

Listed as a "Red Chip" recruit by the Seattle Times, earning honorable mention on the Tacoma News Tribune's 2003 Northwest Nuggets team

Selected by the Tacoma News Tribune for its Western 100 Team and was rated the seventh-best player in Washington by Super Prep

Helped lead his team to a 12-1 record and the semifinals of the state 3A championship in 2002

Rushed for 683 yards as a senior and had 19 receptions for 331 yards and five touchdowns during his final campaign.

American Ethnic Studies major

Son of Vincent and Theresa Russo

Born 9/10/84

Resides in Lakewood, Washington.