Qua Russaw and James Smith can be seen giving opposing quarterbacks nightmares while rushing from opposite sides of the Carver Wolverines’ defense on Friday night, but outside the field, you will constantly see them shoulder to shoulder.
Russaw and Smith are both rated as five-star recruits on most recruiting sites, and the talented duo boasts more than 40 D1 offers in total. The pair released the same top six in August and have confirmed they are indeed going to college ‘together.’ This is not a big surprise considering how each of them has handled their recruitment, but their relationship goes deeper than football.
The Carver-Montgomery seniors do not see each other as just teammates.
“That is my brother,” James Smith said. “We have been going through this process together, so it is really easy for us to click on the same level. We have done everything together, so it is easy.”
Russaw echoed Smith’s statement on their brotherhood.
“He is my brother,” said Russaw. “We are always together. We are around each other at the house, we do everything together, and we have been on all of our visits together. We are just brothers.”
With plans locked in to continue their brotherhood at the college level, Alabama, Alabama State, Auburn, Florida, Georgia and Ohio State are the finalist for the highly-touted prospects. Auburn and Georgia hosted Russaw and Smith for official visits in June. Alabama, Florida and Ohio State are expected to get them on campus for official visits during the football season.
“I know I am going to Florida versus LSU,” Russaw told Touchdown Alabama Thursday. “That is the only official I have locked in right now. I am looking at a game for Ohio State, but I do not know when. I know I am going to officially visit Alabama in December, but I do not know what date.”
Auburn was the last program to host the Montgomery products. The Tigers got them on campus last weekend.
Alabama football has been in contact with both prospects as of late. Russaw said he talks to the Crimson Tide’s coaching staff on a consistent basis.
“I talk to them every week,” said Russaw. “I talked with coach Saban the other day. He said it was the first time he had gotten an opportunity to call players back. They are still on me.”
Russaw and Smith plan to graduate in December and early enroll into the school of their choice. A decision is likely to come from them during the early signing period.
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Justin Smith is a Scouting/Recruiting analyst for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via @Jdsmith31Smith
