Russell on fast track to pros

By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

•	Online Chat Sports editor Curtis Murayama, a draft follower for 30 years, will lead an online chat at 7 p.m. tomorrow.

University of Utah's Clifford Russell, a 1997 graduate and star athlete at Campbell High, is hoping to be selected Saturday, the first day of the two-day draft. Two or three of the draft's seven rounds will be completed Saturday.

"(Scouts) told me I'll go on the first day," Russell said in a telephone interview from Salt Lake City. "They just didn't know which round."

Granted, he hasn't written a diary for ESPN, nor appeared in an EA Sports commercial as Lelie has, but the 5-11, 185-pound Russell can run with the best.

Green Bay Packers scout John Dorsey said Russell is among the "top five fastest guys in the draft." Russell was timed at 4.40 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the NFL combine in Indianapolis last month.

"He's an unknown who has come on and has shown that he can play in this league," Dorsey said. "He'll be a first-day selection."

However, draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. lists Russell as the 17th-best receiver, which would project him anywhere from the third round on. Kiper, who placed Russell in the third round of his mock draft, views Russell more as a prospect with great potential rather than a player who would make an immediate impact.

"He looks the part physically and athletically, but he is still a very raw, unpolished talent," Kiper wrote in his latest report. "Russell has to work on controlling his speed and also doing a better job of selling the route."

Perhaps Russell is viewed as an "unpolished" receiver because he is relatively new to the position. At Campbell, he was an Advertiser all-state running back. But he knew early on that his days in the backfield were numbered.

"They switched me," Russell said, recalling his arrival at Utah's training camp. "I kind of had a clue they wanted me to switch once I got to college. They needed a receiver (at the time). It was a good opportunity for me."

And he made the most of it, leading the Utes with 53 receptions for a 14-yard average this past season.

Russell, who is expected to graduate this spring with a degree in sociology, acknowledges that speed is his best asset. But the athleticism that allowed him to make the position change also shows up in a 300-pound bench press and 40-inch vertical leap.

Still, Russell knows there's room for improvement as he anticipates the jump to the NFL.

"Maybe running better (pass) routes," he said. "I'll get that with experience. I'm always learning new things."

Before then, he will sweat out the draft like hundreds of others around the country — each hoping to realize a longtime dream.

"Ever since I was little I've wanted to play (pro ball)," Russell said.