Craig Russell had an idea.

After watching his 8-year-old son compete in youth soccer and baseball leagues in the Meridian area, Craig thought it might be time to broaden his young son's horizons.

So, why not football?

"When I was eight, I was playing a few sports like soccer and baseball," remarked Russell's son, Tyler. "That's when he thought I should try, so he signed me up for football and I got a chance to play quarterback."

Good choice, Dad.

Now, some 10 years later, Tyler Russell is still playing quarterback.

On the brink of his senior season at Meridian High School, Russell has blossomed into the Magnolia State's top quarterback and has already committed to continue his playing career at Mississippi State University.

Not bad for a kid who originally picked up the sport as a hobby.

"When I started playing rookie league ball as an 8-year-old, I loved football immediately," Russell said. "I just like the teamwork aspects of it, the dedication it takes ... I just love playing quarterback."

It shows.

Russell's love of the game has paid big dividends thus far, earning him All-State status as a junior. Now, he's one of the top QB prospects in the Southeast.

To date, Russell has earned statewide, regional and national accolades, including a spot in this year's Jackson Clarion-Ledger Dandy Dozen as well as an appearance in The Sporting News.

Not that any of that matters to Russell.

"It's so important to just focus on the task at hand and take everything one day at a time," Russell said. "I can't get caught up in any of that because we have to win football games on Friday nights."



A learning experience



While the 6-4, 200-pound signal caller enjoyed a breakout junior campaign, Russell credits a year in which he split time with a senior as one of his most important learning experiences.

In his sophomore campaign, Russell and senior Walton Mitts shared the load at QB for Meridian, helping the Wildcats reach the Class 5A State championship game for a second straight season.

Despite limited playing time, Russell showed flashes of brilliance, completing 57-of-111 passes with 12 touchdowns and just four interceptions. Still, Russell believes his time on the sideline proved invaluable to his growth as a quarterback.

"I was able to share time with Walton and it taught me so much," Russell said. "Even though I wasn't in the game at all times, I was standing by coach (Larry) Weems and I was able to see what he expected of us and I was able to learn which reads I should make. It was really a good learning experience that showed me how the game is supposed to be played."



Taking the reins



Entering last season as the unquestioned starter for Meridian, Russell flourished as a in the Wildcats' spread offense, ringing in the new season with a five-touchdown performance against Northeast Lauderdale.

Russell's maturation continued throughout the year, as he finished with 2,401 yards and 26 touchdowns despite missing three games with a mild knee injury.

His progress was not lost on Larry Weems, Meridian's third-year head coach.

"He just got better and better as the year went on," Weems said of Russell.

"And hopefully, he keeps getting better this season.

"In this offense, the quarterback has a great deal of responsibility. There's a lot of reads, a lot of recognition he has to go through before we even snap the ball. Then, he has to have the ability to put the ball where it needs to go. Tyler has that ability."



Aiming for a championship



Russell heads into his senior season at the helm of one the favorites to reach the Class 5A state title game, a feat that MHS would accomplish for the third time in four years if the Wildcats are able to reach Jackson.

For a player with countless individual accolades and numerous scholarship offers, that elusive state championship stands alone as Russell's goal this season.

"That's every quarterback's dream right there," Russell said. "To walk out into that stadium for the state championship game in your senior year, to lead your team to a championship, everybody dreams of doing that. I would love to be able to say one day that I helped Meridian bring home a state championship."

First things first, though. Russell and the Wildcats must deal with a brutal non-conference schedule before delving into district play — not to mention the fact that there are several other contenders aiming for the 5A crown, most notably the 5-time defending state champs from South Panola.

"Everybody enters the season with the same goal, hoping to have that trophy at the end of the year," Meridian's signal caller said. "As long as we take it one game at a time, everything should take care of itself."



The future



Some seniors head into their final season in high school without a clue as to where they'll spend their next four years. Russell is not one of them.

Sure, he had chances to play elsewhere, but all it took for Russell to make his college choice was a visit to Mississippi State — and a meeting with fifth-year head coach Sylvester Croom.

"They had a good season last year, winning eight games and the Liberty Bowl, but that's not what impressed me most," Russell said. "I really want to play for someone whose philosophy is not 100-percent based on football. That's coach Croom.

"Yes, he cares about the kind of football player you become, but he's more concerned with what kind of man you become. He helps make players become better men. That's the kind of coach I wanted to play for."

As of now, Russell is one of the jewels of Mississippi State's 2009 recruiting class, a group that's ranked No. 15 in the country by Scout.com. In addition to Russell, Croom and company have collected commitments from Noxubee County standout WR Patrick Patterson, Philadelphia defensive tackle Josh Boyd and Russell's MHS teammate, WR Chris Smith.

"Looking at the players we've got coming on board, it just makes me excited to be a part of that," Russell said. "I think we can help build something special at Mississippi State."

Judging by Russell's track record, that may be an understatement.