Looking Ahead 2026: Calvin Russell

[Ttk.gman2]

Calvin is ready for football season, doesn’t spring practice start next week?

 

[JRHEETER]

Calvin is ready for football season, doesn’t spring practice start next week?

March 20th

 

[Ttk.gman2]

March 20th

Bet can’t wait should be a fun week next week.

 

[Ttk.gman2]

 

[Ttk.gman2]

 

[OrangeXtreme]

 

[richmondcuse03]

Calvin will be playing from day one. He's just starting his offseason conditioning so a little behind some of the other guys but he's a freak. Already physically ready. He adds 10 pounds of muscle...and he should be a freshman all american. Not meant to overhype him -- he's just a gifted athlete. Smooth route runner, elite speed. Great hands. And a phenomenal young man. He's everything you want in a five star.

 

[Niastri]

Calvin will be playing from day one. He's just starting his offseason conditioning so a little behind some of the other guys but he's a freak. Already physically ready. He adds 10 pounds of muscle...and he should be a freshman all american. Not meant to overhype him -- he's just a gifted athlete. Smooth route runner, elite speed. Great hands. And a phenomenal young man. He's everything you want in a five star.

I'm not being argumentative, I figure you actually know the answer... Does Russell have elite speed? He looks like he has that long, distance eating stride, but I haven't been able to find solid sources saying he actually has elite speed, or if he just every other characteristic in a great receiver.

I keep seeing him described as merely "fast," not a "burner" or "elite speed" or whatever euphemism they use for a really fast player. Also, no real 40 times, even if they are sometimes inflated.

Either way, I am very excited to see him play, just like I was excited to see him on the court.

 

[Chip]

Did he look a little gimpy after that catch (not during the route) or is that just my worrying eyes.

I'll just go with cramps.

 

[richmondcuse03]

Did he look a little gimpy after that catch (not during the route) or is that just my worrying eyes.

I'll just go with cramps.

He missed football conditioning so pretty sure cramps.

 

[richmondcuse03]

I'm not being argumentative, I figure you actually know the answer... Does Russell have elite speed? He looks like he has that long, distance eating stride, but I haven't been able to find solid sources saying he actually has elite speed, or if he just every other characteristic in a great receiver.

I keep seeing him described as merely "fast," not a "burner" or "elite speed" or whatever euphemism they use for a really fast player. Also, no real 40 times, even if they are sometimes inflated.

Either way, I am very excited to see him play, just like I was excited to see him on the court.

Think he has a bit of everything. He's fast but I don't think he's 4.3 40 type fast. He's more of a gazelle for distance. He's got elite hands and size, and great footwork that should only get better.

 

[bnoro]

I'm not being argumentative, I figure you actually know the answer... Does Russell have elite speed? He looks like he has that long, distance eating stride, but I haven't been able to find solid sources saying he actually has elite speed, or if he just every other characteristic in a great receiver.

I keep seeing him described as merely "fast," not a "burner" or "elite speed" or whatever euphemism they use for a really fast player. Also, no real 40 times, even if they are sometimes inflated.

Either way, I am very excited to see him play, just like I was excited to see him on the court.

I think he's got that long stride like Randy Moss. Doesn't look super fast if it's just him in frame, but put him next to a DB and you see it

 

[721Comstock]

Think he has a bit of everything. He's fast but I don't think he's 4.3 40 type fast. He's more of a gazelle for distance. He's got elite hands and size, and great footwork that should only get better.

144% THIS.

He’s also got great ups, and body control.
I think his hoops background helps with this.

IF the ball is in his UUUUGE catch radius, he’s likely coming down with it.

 

[Dcuse]

I'm not being argumentative, I figure you actually know the answer... Does Russell have elite speed? He looks like he has that long, distance eating stride, but I haven't been able to find solid sources saying he actually has elite speed, or if he just every other characteristic in a great receiver.

I keep seeing him described as merely "fast," not a "burner" or "elite speed" or whatever euphemism they use for a really fast player. Also, no real 40 times, even if they are sometimes inflated.

Either way, I am very excited to see him play, just like I was excited to see him on the court.

Don't forget... Jerry Rice wasn't fast.

 

[Niastri]

I think he's got that long stride like Randy Moss. Doesn't look super fast if it's just him in frame, but put him next to a DB and you see it

Think he has a bit of everything. He's fast but I don't think he's 4.3 40 type fast. He's more of a gazelle for distance. He's got elite hands and size, and great footwork that should only get better.

Yes, exactly how I would term it... Maybe more Cheetah than Gazelle, if only because he's going to be the hunter.

Either way, it is definitely ground eating. Thanks for the responses.

 

[CbusCuse]

Think he has a bit of everything. He's fast but I don't think he's 4.3 40 type fast. He's more of a gazelle for distance. He's got elite hands and size, and great footwork that should only get better.

Agree. I don't think his speed is elite but if he is running a go route on the outside he is certainly fast enough when you combine that with his height and wingspan. Defenders will not be able to give him much cushion because he has very good agility which leads to his nice routes, making good clean cuts. That should leave him very open considering his size and with his very good hands. I'd add that he also appears to have the ability to make defenders miss once he has the ball, which is an excellent attribute to have at 6'-5".

 

[OttoinGrotto]

Yeah I believe he's already standing out.

 

[CbusCuse]

I think he's got that long stride like Randy Moss. Doesn't look super fast if it's just him in frame, but put him next to a DB and you see it

144% THIS.

He’s also got great ups, and body control.
I think his hoops background helps with this.

IF the ball is in his UUUUGE catch radius, he’s likely coming down with it.

I like the body and stride comparison to Randy Moss. But he is not quite as fast as Randy Moss was and I think he has a solid vertical but not quite in the same ballpark as Moss. But Calvin is 6'-5", has long arms, good body control and hands. That makes his vertical look even better. Moss was listed at 6'-4" but I'd guess Calvin may shrink to that height around NFL draft time.

Randy was a 4.25 guy and had a 47" vertical. Absolutely ridiculous. Calvin is still a freak, just probably not quite Randy Moss, possibly best receiver of all time type of freak. That is not exactly a diss. He is still going to be Excellent!