University of North Carolina Athletics
One-on-One with Brandon Russell
October 19, 2000 | Football
Oct. 20, 2000
Earlier this week, we encouraged Carolina fans to submit questions via email for freshman tailback Brandon Russell.
One of Carolina's brightest young stars, Russell had his most productive collegiate game last Saturday against N.C. State, as he amassed 96 yards on the ground while also collecting his first career touchdown. The Decatur, Ga., native hopes to continue his success this week against No. 3 Clemson. Heading into Saturday's game, Russell averages 52.8 yards per game, with one touchdown and 336 total yards rushing.
Now, here's what Brandon had to say:
Question from Lee Setzer in Claremont, N.C.: Great job running last Saturday, superb second effort! What can the offensive line do to help get you out into the open to where you can really use your breakaway speed?
R: I think that the offensive line has been doing a pretty good job so far. As long as they continue to work hard and improve each week, I think we'll be alright.
Question from Phil Hill in Thomasville, N.C.: How do you feel when you are the only true freshman to start at tailback since Charlie "Choo Choo" Justice? Keep up the good running and can't wait until you break a long one for a touchdown.
R: It was definitely a surprise at first. I didn't even expect to play coming into this year. It wasn't until after the Tulsa game that I found out that I was the first freshman to start since him, and it was quite an honor.
Question from Johnny Buck in Chapel Hill, N.C.: Do you consider yourself more adept at running up the gut or bouncing outside like a scatback?
R: I don't know, it's kind of hard to say. I guess sometimes I feel a little more comfortable on the outside. As a running back I have to be able to run outside as well as up the gut. I probably can improve in both areas, but I do feel more comfortable on the outside.
Question from Don in Lancaster, S.C.: What exactly did you do prior to coming to campus in August to prepare yourself to possibly become the starting tailback at Carolina this season?
R: Bulldog (Strength Coach George Smith) sent me a workout book, and I followed that book as closely as I could over the summer. I wasn't sure how much it was going to pay off for me, but I figure that if that is what they wanted me to do then I would dedicate myself to doing it. I knew that I wanted to play so I wanted to do whatever it took to get me to play. I guess it paid off.
Question from Rick in Lancaster, N.C.: What type of adjustments have you made both as a student and an athlete since reporting to camp in August? What type of adjustments will you need to finish up the season as you would like?
R: I've definitely learned how to manage my time differently than I did in high school. Football takes up alot more time in college than it did in high school, and I knew that was going to be the case but I wasn't sure how much time it was actually going to take. Trying to find the right balance between football and school work has been a big adjustment for me, but I think that I've kind of found the right balance. I definitely want to continue to improve every week and keep getting a better feel for the offensive line. If we can get a better feel for each other as teammates, the better we will be and the closer we will come together and work as a unit.
Question from Bray Taylor in Asheville, N.C.: How are you adjusting to the academic life at Carolina in your first year?
R: I haven't done too bad so far with adjusting. My high school did a real good job of preparing me. It was tough in high school, a lot of times I would sit around and wonder what I was doing. Now I am real thankful that I went through what I did in high school because it really prepared me for what I've seen in college academically.
Question from Mark Waters in Charlotte, N.C.: When did you decide that Carolina was the place you wanted to be? Now that you are here, do your parents understand better why you chose Carolina over Stanford?
R: I came up for the first time in July two summers ago and I was really impressed with the place. I wanted to get a better feel for it so I decided to come up on an official visit. That was the time, after the visit, that I knew that I wanted to come to school here. I got to meet alot of the guys, Sedrick Hodge was my host, and I felt really comfortable around all of the players. That was the one thing that really stood out for me as opposed to some of the other schools. I didn't feel quite as comfortable there as I did here.
As far as my parents go, everybody knows that we butted heads for a while about my decision. But after the first game here, they told me that they had no idea what they were thinking when trying to persuade me to go somewhere else. They're so happy now to be able to come and see me play and also that they can see that I am happy here. I couldn't ask for anything more.
Question from Steve in Hendersonville, N.C.: Why can't the Tar Heels consistently run the ball? Is that something that will come in time or is it a failure in the scheme or the offensive line?
R: It is something that will come in time. I have total confidence in the coaching scheme, the offensive line and everyone else. We just have to start playing as a unit, and be on the same page at the same time, all the time. The running game will be alright, we will be fine.
Question from Jessica Hill: The most recent athlete to try and play both football and baseball was Tyrell Godwin and that did not work out. Why will your case be different?
R: I have met Tyrell, and he and I are definitely two different people. Maybe his situation didn't work out, but I have a true passion for both sports, which is why I didn't want to give either one of them up when I came to school. I'm willing to make the sacrifices to be able to play both. I know that it might cut out social life and all that kind of stuff, but that's what I want to do, play football and baseball. As long as the opportunity is here for me to be able to play both sports then I'm going to take full advantage of it.
Question from Jim Hubbard in Maryland: Is the Clemson game a must-win for this program or is that too much to ask against the No. 3 team in the country?
R: It's never too much to ask. We expect ourselves to win every weekend. Never do we go out onto the field with the mentality that we are going to lose, we always look to win. This shouldn't be any different, for anyone to ask us if we expect ourselves to win. We look to play well enough each week to win, no matter who our opponent is.
Question from Matt Best in Chapel Hill, N.C.: What do you like to do away from the field?
R: I like to sleep, relax, all the stuff that I never get a chance to do. I don't really have a whole lot of time away from the football field, so when I'm away I just like to relax and get my mind off of football for a while. I work on my school work and socialize just like everyone else. I'm a regular student.
Question from Nathan Groome in Hickory, N.C.: If your athletic career does not work out professionally, what do you plan to do after your college career is over?
R: One of the things that attracted me to Carolina was the business school. I'm not really sure on an exact major yet, but I'm thinking that I want to try and get into the business school a little later on down the road. The main thing that I want to do is to find something that I really like to do and be able to persue that as a profession.
Question from Steve Wyatt in Reidsville, N.C.: Do you have any added pressure starting as a freshman compared to if you were starting for the first time as a junior or senior? Thanks and have a great season.
R: No not really, because it's not like I'm being constantly reminded that I am a freshman. When I am out here with the guys it's like I've been out here with them for years. We all get along real well, and of course we have our differences every now and then, but it's nothing that's ever serious. We all go out there and play together, whether you are a junior or freshman. It's not something that stays on my mind, so there really is no added pressure.
As always, thanks to everyone for the great questions. We weren't able to get to all of you, but be sure to check back next week to see who will go one-on-one next Friday.
One-on-One Archives
One-on-One with B. Allen (September 15, 2000)
One-on-One with Wags (September 8, 2000)
One-on-One with R. Sims (September 1, 2000)
One-on-One with A. Crumpler (August 25, 2000)
One-on-One with E. Hood (August 18, 2000)
One-on-One with B. Spoon (August 11, 2000)
