Trojans’ Russell Joins the Early Rush to the NFL

There were no platitudes about doing it for his mother, to buy Eleanor Russell a house or a car.

No, Darrell Russell’s decision to leave USC after his junior season to seek employment in the NFL was the result of inquiry and investigation and, in the end, the money he expects to earn.

“My motivation . . . was my position,” he said Tuesday in announcing he would leave the Trojans with a season of eligibility remaining. “It was how I looked as a defensive tackle, how I did this year, what juniors were coming out and what free agents were going to be available.”

Russell is the 17th junior to opt to take his chances in the NFL draft, and only four others--Peter Boulware of Florida State, Tony Daniels of Texas Tech, Kenard Lang of Miami and Trevor Pryce of Clemson--are defensive linemen.

All of them are projected as ends. At 6 feet 4, 305 pounds, Russell is a tackle.

“I tried to do some research with general managers and it looks as though he can go in the top 10 or top 15,” Trojan Coach John Robinson said. “There aren’t many good defensive linemen out there.”

Robinson said the subject of a three-season college career first came up when Russell was being recruited from San Diego St. Augustine High, and that he had met with the Russells again before Christmas to add his input.

He put a price tag on Russell’s future at about “$9-10 million” and said he concurred with the decision.

“We’re looking at money beyond our competence to understand,” Robinson said. “If it was my son or your son, I’d do the same thing.

“The way the draft is now, the first round should be called the ‘junior’ round.’ ”

In three seasons as a starter, Russell had 123 tackles, including 36 for losses, 15 of them sacks. He was an All-Pacific 10 Conference pick twice, and the league’s offensive linemen will be glad to see him go: They voted him the Pac-10’s top defensive lineman this season.

He is the sixth Trojan to leave school early for the NFL. Four of them--Junior Seau, Mark Carrier, Curtis Conway and Todd Marinovich--were first-round picks.

Russell must decide whether to remain in school for the spring semester or drop out to prepare for the NFL spring combine.