For one evening, University of Hawaii football player Doug Russell enjoyed being on the sideline.
Russell had a courtside seat during the Los Angeles Clippers’ exhibition basketball game at the Stan Sheriff Center in October. Russell and Aaron Balmer, son of the Clippers’ owner, have been close friends since the fourth grade.
“They treated me like family,” Russell said. “They knew I was out here, and they reached out.”
This coming football season, Russell, a nose tackle, and linebacker Paul Scott are not expected to spend much time on the sideline. Russell and Scott were heralded members of UH’s 2017 recruiting class. Both redshirted last year. Both are in the Warriors’ plans for this season, according to defensive coordinator Corey Batoon.
Instead of a depth chart, Batoon said, the Warriors have an “organizational” chart. Following Thursday’s fifth practice of spring training, Batoon said Russell and Scott will be in the rotation for base schemes and sub-packages.
At 6 feet 2 and 320 pounds, Russell is a hybrid nose. He’s big enough to hold the point and absorb double blocks, yet possess the quickness and agility for slants and stunts. Russell can dunk a basketball.
Defensive line coach Ricky Logo said Russell fits the position description. “You want that 300-plus-pound guy to hold the middle,” Logo said. “You’ve got to be a physical player to withstand the beating you’re going to get in there. It’s an unselfish position.”
Russell said: “You’re like the anchor of the D-line. You have to take that pressure and run with it.”
Russell had knee issues that required physical therapy and led to the decision to redshirt.
Russell attended every practice and, in the final month of the season, was able to participate with the scout defense.
“I’m really glad about that decision (to redshirt),” Russell said. “I’m really prepared for this season. Hopefully, I can help out the team in a big way.”
Scott signed with UH in February 2017 after de-committing from California. Early in last year’s training camp, Scott experienced problems with his left ankle, which was broken during his senior season of high school.
“The stress of cutting and stuff, it started to take a toll,” Scott said of the aggravated ankle. He spent most of training camp with his left foot in a walking boot.
By the time he was fully healed, it was decided that it would be more beneficial for Scott to redshirt. “We already had three guys in the position,” Scott said. “There was no sense trying to burn (the season).”
Scott practiced for about four weeks with the scout defense before a teammate fell on his ankle.
This time, he needed only two weeks of rehabilitation to heal.
This spring, Scott is competing at weakside linebacker. With UH’s multiple schemes, Scott can play inside or on the edge, in coverage or as a blitzer.
“He’s doing well,” Batoon said. “He has athletic ability. He’s just learning the system right now. Once he has that comfort level with it, you can see that athleticism take over. … He’s got a role in all of our packages.
