Taylor Russolino

Taylor Russolino (born May 23, 1989) is an American gridiron football placekicker for the Arlington Renegades of the XFL. He kicked an XFL record, 58 yard field goal, during the 2020 XFL season.

Taylor Russolino
No. 1 – Arlington Renegades
Position:Placekicker
Personal information
Born: (1989-05-23) May 23, 1989
Metairie, Louisiana, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:180 lb (82 kg)
Career information
High school:Archbishop Rummel (LA)
College:Millsaps
Undrafted:2011
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
  • XFL champion (2023)
  • First-team All-SCAC (2008)
  • 2× Second-team All-SCAC (2009, 2010)
  • Mid Season All-XFL (2020)
Career NFL statistics as of Week 15, 2020
Field goals:0
Field goals attempted:1
Field goal %:0.0
Touchbacks:1
Career CFL statistics
Field goals:2
Field goal attempts:3
Longest field goal:19
Punts:19
Punt average:38.3
Career Arena statistics
Field goals:0
Field goals attempted:1
Extra points:11
Extra points attempted:18
Player stats at PFR · CFL.ca · ArenaFan.com

Early life and college career

A native of Metairie, Louisiana, Russolino did not play football until his senior year of high school. Originally a soccer player, Russolino was approached by the high school football coach and soccer coach to kick for the football team as their normal kicker was playing in a baseball playoff tournament.[1] After participating in a Ray Guy kicking camp, he dropped soccer after receiving advice from NFL kicker John Carney to pursue a football career.[2]

Russolino played college football at Millsaps College at the Division III level, where he was a three-time all-conference selection, and setting multiple kicking records for the program.

Professional career

Early career

Russolino signed his first professional contract with the Marion Blue Racers of the Continental Indoor Football League in 2013.[3] He signed with the New Orleans VooDoo of the Arena Football League in February 2014.[3] He played in three games, going 11-for-18 on extra point attempts and missed his only field goal attempt.[4] He was placed on injured reserve on April 9, 2014.[5]

Russolino signed with the Spokane Empire of the Indoor Football League in March 2016.[6][7] Russolino was drafted by the Shanghai Skywalkers in the China Arena Football League draft in June 2016.[8] Russolino was named to the All-Pro South Division All-Stars. He was also one of eight players named to the CAFL Fan's Dream Team.

Canadian Football League

Russolino signed with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League (CFL) on October 26, 2017, to replace their injured regular kicker Boris Bede.[9] Russolino played in two games,[10] punting 19 times for an average of 38.3 yards per punt, and making two of his three field goal attempts.[11] He was released on November 30, 2017.[12]

Russolino signed with the BC Lions of the CFL during training camp on May 18, 2019,[13] and was released before the season on May 30, 2019.[14]

St. Louis BattleHawks

Russolino was added to the St. Louis BattleHawks' roster in November 2019.[15] While with the BattleHawks, he set the XFL record for longest made field goal, with a 58-yard field goal.[16] While with the BattleHawks, he started a GoFundMe page for front-line workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, a group which his fiancée was a part of.[17] He was named to the 2020 midseason All-XFL team.[18] He had his contract terminated when the league suspended operations on April 10, 2020.[19]

Denver Broncos

Russolino was signed to the Denver Broncos practice squad on December 7, 2020.[20] He was signed after former punter and XFL broadcaster Pat McAfee recommended him to Broncos special teams coordinator Tom McMahon.[21] Russolino was elevated to the active roster on December 18 for the team's week 15 game against the Buffalo Bills to replace Brandon McManus, who was in COVID-19 protocols, and reverted to the practice squad after the game.[22] Russolino's practice squad contract with the team expired after the season on January 11, 2021.[23]

Arlington Renegades

On November 17, 2022, Russolino was drafted by the Arlington Renegades of the XFL.[24]

References
  1. "Walker: From Rummel to XFL with plenty stops in between, Taylor Russolino still has eyes on NFL". NOLA.com. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  2. "2007 Rummel graduate still hoping for NFL kicking opportunity". NOLA.com. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  3. "Russolino Signs With AFL's VooDoo". Millsaps College Athletics. February 19, 2004. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
  4. "Taylor Russolino ArenaFan statistics". ArenaFan.com. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
  5. "New Orleans VooDoo Team Transactions". ArenaFan.com. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
  6. Meehan, Jim (March 12, 2016). "Unbeaten Empire receive wake-up call". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved December 19, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. "Empire Signs Kicker Taylor Russolino". Our Sports Central. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  8. "Empire". The Spokesman-Review. June 15, 2016. Retrieved December 19, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. "Alouettes add kicker Taylor Russolino to the roster". MontrealAlouettes.com. October 26, 2017. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
  10. Willes, Ed (May 24, 2019). "Leos still trying to tee up kicker at camp". The Province. Retrieved December 19, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. "Taylor Russolino CFL statistics". CFL.ca. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
  12. "The Alouettes released four players". MontrealAlouettes.com. November 30, 2017. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
  13. Baker, Matt (May 17, 2019). "Training Camp Preview: Trophies Not Won in February". BCLions.com. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
  14. Cartmell, Jamie (May 30, 2019). "Lions Add Quarterback Grant Kraemer To Camp Roster". BCLions.com. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
  15. Taylor Russolino [@tgrussolino] (November 27, 2019). "What a time to be Thankful! Lets Go! Excited for the opportunity @XFLBattleHawks #XFL #XFL2020 #STLOUISBATTLEHAWKS #ClearedToEngage" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  16. "XFL BattleHawks kicker Taylor Russolino is looking to take a shot at the NFL". XFL Board. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  17. "BattleHawks kicker Taylor Russolino starts fundraiser for front line healthcare workers". FOX61. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  18. "Midseason All-XFL Team". XFL.com. March 11, 2020. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
  19. Condotta, Bob (April 10, 2020). "XFL suspends operations, terminates all employees, but Jim Zorn says he has hopes league will continue". SeattleTimes.com. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
  20. "Broncos sign K Taylor Russolino to practice squad". Denver Broncos. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  21. "Coach McMahon Reveals Pat McAfee Turned Him Onto K Taylor Russolino". Mile High Huddle. Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  22. "Broncos elevate K Taylor Russolino, LB Josh Watson from practice squad for Week 15 game vs. Bills". Denver Broncos. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
  23. Heath, Jon (January 11, 2021). "Broncos part ways with 2 practice squad players". USAToday.com. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
  24. "Rosters for all eight XFL teams: Full draft results and where Vic Beasley, Martavis Bryant landed". ESPN.com. 2022-11-18. Retrieved 2022-12-30.
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