JaMarcus Russell, the LSU junior (6-foot-6 inch, 260 pound) All-SEC quarterback, will announce his decision to stay in school for his senior year or declare for early entry in the 2007 NFL draft at a press conference on Wednesday (Jan. 10).
On Sunday, ESPN NFL reporter Chris Mortenson announced that Russell would enter the draft; however Russell has not made any public announcement of his intentions. It is expected that Russell, who is projected to be a high first round pick and possibly the Oakland Raiders No. 1 pick as the top pick in the draft, will make his announcement official at the Wednesday press conference.
Others declaring early entry for the draft on Sunday are All-SEC players, wide receiver Sidney Rice of South Carolina, defensive end Jamaal Anderson and cornerback Chris Houston both of Arkansas.
South Carolina head football coach Steve Spurrier confirmed Sunday afternoon that sophomore Sidney Rice is leaving school early to enter the NFL Draft in April. Spurrier spoke this weekend with Rice, who has moved out of his USC dorm room and moved to Phoenix, Ariz. Rice, the Gamecocks’ program-record-setting receiver, told Spurrier in November that he would return to school for one more season. In the past month, he had said he would turn pro only if he were projected to be a top-10 draft choice.
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Anderson earned first-team All-SEC honors and honorable mention All-America honors for the Razorbacks. He finished sixth on the squad with 65 tackles and led the SEC in sacks (13.5 – 95 yards) and ranked second in the league in tackles for loss (19.5 – 108 yards). Anderson led the team with 26 quarterback hurries and finished a half-sack short of tying the Arkansas single season record for sacks (14) held by Henry Ford (1993) and Steven Conley (1995).
Houston said he has informed Arkansas' coaches of his decision to leave early, and he has already signed with agent Eugene Parker, who also represents former Arkansas cornerback Ahmad Carroll who was a first round pick by the Green Bay Packers after the 2003 season.
By signing with an agent, Houston has ended any hope of him returning to Arkansas for his senior season. Houston said he's been projected to go in either the first or second round of the upcoming NFL Draft.
