Democrat and Chronicle

(Friday, February 1, 2002) -- Hard-hitting Honeoye Falls-Lima safety John Russ has given a verbal commitment to play football next fall for the University of Delaware and plans to sign a letter of intent with the Division I-AA program on Wednesday.

"They like what everybody likes: He has a willingness to come up and stop the run and yet with his speed he can cover the field and play some man-to-man if they need him to," HF-L coach Billy Donegan said.

Russ, 6-feet-1, 180 pounds, also visited Maine and New Hampshire.

A four-year varsity starter at defensive back, he was a first-team All-State pick at safety last fall.

A two-time All-Greater Rochester pick, he also played quarterback. He set HF-L records for career points (175) and tackles (277). Delaware has gone 300-119-3 in head coach Tubby Raymond's 36 seasons. The Blue Hens were 4-6 overall, 4-5 in the Atlantic 10 last year.