Anthony Russo (American football)

Anthony Russo (born December 6, 1997) is an American football quarterback for the Massachusetts Pirates of the Indoor Football League (IFL). He played college football for Temple and Michigan State. He also played for the San Antonio Brahmas of the XFL.

Anthony Russo
No. 9 – Massachusetts Pirates
Position:Quarterback
Personal information
Born: (1997-12-06) December 6, 1997
Doylestown, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:235 lb (107 kg)
Career information
High school:Archbishop Wood
(Warminster, Pennsylvania)
College:Temple (2016–2020)
Michigan State (2021)
Undrafted:2022
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career IFL statistics as of Week 13, 2023
Passing attempts:257
Passing completions:162
Completion percentage:63.0
TD–INT:44–9
Passing yards:1,963
Passer rating:176.7

College career

Temple

In 2016, Russo took a redshirt year after not appearing in any games for Temple.[1]

In 2017, Russo made his college football debut as a field goal holder against No. 15 UCF in the season finale.[1]

In 2018, Russo entered the season as the backup but gained the starting position by week two and lead the team to a 7–3 record—only missing the season finale before returning for the bowl game.[1] He threw his first-career touchdown against Maryland. Against Heisman candidate McKenzie Milton and UCF, he threw for a career-high 52 pass attempts, 31 pass completions, 444 passing yards, four passing touchdowns, twelve rush attempts, and 46 rushing yards.[1] The team lost the 2018 Independence Bowl 27–56.

In 2019, Russo started every game for the Owls; leading the team to an 8–5 record.[1]

In 2020, Russo was named to the Golden Arm Award watchlist. He started the first three games of the season before an injury and COVID-19 ended his season early.[1] On December 3, 2020, Russo announced he would transfer from Temple.[2][3]

Michigan State

In 2021, Russo transferred to Michigan State and competed with, and lost to, Payton Thorne for the starting position.[4][5] He played in two games for the Spartans: Ohio State and Youngstown State.[6] In his debut against Youngstown State he came in relief and completed five of his seven pass attempts for 43 yards.[6]

Statistics
Season Games Passing Rushing
GPRecordCompAttPctYardsAvgTDIntRateAttYardsAvgTD
Temple Owls
2016 DNP
2017 10–0000.000.0000.0000.00
2018 117–319834557.42,5637.41414125.143631.53
2019 138–524641958.72,8616.82112126.935-64-1.82
2020 31–29213568.18686.496135.322311.42
Michigan State Spartans
2021 20–07977.8434.800117.93103.30
Career3016−1054390859.86,3356.44432127.4103400.47

Professional career
Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span40-yard dash10-yard split20-yard split20-yard shuttleThree-cone drillVertical jumpBroad jump
6 ft 3 in
(1.91 m)		 239 lb
(108 kg)		 31+1⁄2 in
(0.80 m)		 9+3⁄8 in
(0.24 m)		4.95 s1.76 s2.79 s4.57 s7.51 s31+1⁄2 in
(0.80 m)		8 ft 10 in
(2.69 m)
All values from Pro Day[7]

San Antonio Brahmas

On November 16, 2022, Russo was selected by the San Antonio Brahmas of the XFL in the 2023 XFL Draft.[8][9][10]

On January 22, 2023, Russo was released by the Brahmas during roster cuts.[11]

Massachusetts Pirates

On April 1, 2023, Russo signed with the Massachusetts Pirates of the Indoor Football League (IFL). Following an injury to starter Alejandro Bennifield, Russo took over and lead the team to an undefeated season at home.[12]

References
  1. "Anthony Russo - Football". Temple. Retrieved 2023-07-03.
  2. Markol, Drew (November 22, 2022). "Archbishop Wood graduate Anthony Russo set to play professional football in XFL". PhillyBurbs. Retrieved 2023-07-03.
  3. Moberg, McLain (2021-04-13). "Michigan State QB Anthony Russo Details Why he Left Temple". Sports Illustrated Michigan State Spartans News, Analysis and More. Retrieved 2023-07-03.
  4. Linsner, Cory (2022-11-16). "Former MSU football QB Anthony Russo getting pro football opportunity". Spartans Wire. USA Today. Retrieved 2023-07-03.
  5. "Michigan State football QB Anthony Russo the latest to capitalize on name, image, likeness". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 2023-07-03.
  6. "Anthony Russo - Football". Michigan State University Athletics. Retrieved 2023-07-03.
  7. "Anthony Russo - QB - Michigan State - 2022 Draft Scout/NCAA College Football". draftscout.com. Retrieved 2023-07-03.
  8. Luca, Greg (2022-11-15). "San Antonio adds three QBs to kick off XFL draft week". San Antonio Express-News. Retrieved 2023-07-03.
  9. Spicer, Ben (2022-11-16). "San Antonio Brahmas select their quarterbacks for XFL reboot". KSAT. Retrieved 2023-07-03.
  10. "Archbishop Wood graduate Anthony Russo set to play professional football in XFL". PhillyBurbs. Retrieved 2023-07-03.
  11. Thorn, Nicholas (2023-01-22). "XFL Cuts Rosters to 70 Players — Complete Breakdown by Team". XFL Newsroom. Retrieved 2023-07-03.
  12. "Next Man Up: Anthony Russo". Massachusetts Pirates. 2023-05-24. Retrieved 2023-07-03.
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