Anthony Russo

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on June 15, 2014 12:14 PM

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SEVEN SPRINGS -- Anthony Russo Jr. suited up and played nearly every position -- except the line -- during his four-year football career at Spring Creek.

He'll concentrate on one position, slotback, at East Carolina University. A third-generation Pirate, Russo reports to campus later this month as a preferred walk-on.

"I think it's pretty awesome, especially coming from a small school," said Russo, whose grandfather attended then-East Carolina Teacher's College and his dad, Anthony, later played baseball for the Pirates.

"You go through the same thing that scholarship players go through. As of right now, I'm probably going to redshirt that first year. It's going to be a huge challenge."

A challenge, indeed.

Russo squats 405 pounds and bench presses 225, which has created plenty of muscle on his tightly-compact 5-foot-9, 155-pound frame. But that isn't enough protection for a running back, who constantly absorbs punishing hits from defenders.

ECU strength and conditioning coach Jeff Connors wants Russo to add another 50 pounds. The extra weight will help the incoming freshman increase his speed and power.

"If I listen to everything that Connors says, everything will be fine because I trust him," Russo said. "I feel like I'm best on short passes and I think that's where I can really help the team. The speed of the game is going to be different."

Russo will study under current slotback Justin Hardy, who hauled in 114 passes for 1,284 yards and eight touchdowns. The Pirates won 10 games for the first time since 1991 and defeated Ohio 37-20 in the Beef O'Brady's Bowl.

ECU head coach Ruffin McNeill signed 27 players, including 25 who played at the high school level -- the largest freshman class to attend ECU since the McNeill era began in 2010.

Twenty-one redshirt freshmen return from 2013, also.

A confident and out-spoken individual, Russo gets a chance to develop himself, build relationships with teammates and coaches, and become part of a program that has made seven bowl appearances in the last eight seasons.

"I can't wait," Russo said.

Russo is the second Division I recruit -- and first in football -- in the Gators' short athletics history. Jes Snyder signed to play baseball at UNC Wilmington when Roger May was head coach in 2004.

A National Honor Society member and honor graduate, Russo accounted for nearly 550 yards and seven touchdowns on 89 offensive plays for Spring Creek in 2013.

The Gators won three games in a season for the first time since 2006 and advanced to the N.C. High School Athletic Association 1-A (small-school) playoffs.

"My senior year, by far, was my favorite year ... a great year," said Russo, who earned all-Carolina 1-A Conference accolades. "I'm going to miss the guys I played with. It was fun."

Russo reports to ECU on June 25 and starts the second summer session the next day. He'll participate in the Pirates' morning workouts and afternoon practices in preparation for the season opener Aug. 30 against in-state foe N.C. Central.

Regardless if he either makes the 105-player roster or redshirt, Russo is eager to test his ability against some of the nation's top collegiate talent.

"It's the only game you can play where you can really test who's better, who's faster, who's stronger (and) who knows the game better," a smiling Russo said. "It's a lot like life, which is what my coaches tell me all the time. You get knocked down, get back up and keep playing."

And live a dream that was once a fantasy.