MSU’s Russell Named to Third Watch List

(AP Photo/Garry Jones)

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI Sports/MSU Athletics) – Mississippi State senior quarterback Tyler Russell was named to the 2013 Walter Camp Award Watch List, the Walter Camp Foundation Friday. The award, which is presented annually to the nation’s most outstanding collegiate football player, is the fourth-oldest individual college football honor in the country.

Russell was named to the lineup two days after being selected to the watch list for the Davey O’Brien Award, which is given yearly to the nation’s best college quarterback and is the oldest national quarterback award. Last week, the Meridian, Miss., native also became the first player in school history to appear in consecutive years on the
watch list for the Maxwell Award, which since 1937 has been awarded annually to America’s College Player of the Year.

State’s signal caller set 11 single-season school records in 2012, completing 231 throws for 2,897 yards and two-dozen touchdowns. The 6-4, 220-pounder enters his senior season as the school’s all-time leader in passing efficiency (136.38), and is only one passing touchdown away from the tying the school record for passing touchdowns (38), held by Derrick Taite (1993-96).

Russell and the rest of his teammates begin the 2013 season on August 31 in Houston, Texas, at Reliant Stadium against Oklahoma State. The Texas Kickoff Classic is set for a 2:30 p.m. kickoff and will be televised live nationally on either ABC or ESPN2.