Was JaMarcus Russell the most talented player we ever had?

I know that a lot of great players have put on the purple and gold, but do you guys think Russell could possibly have been the best out of all of them? Some might have put up better stats and been more consistent, but I can't think of anyone with more natural physical talent and potential than JaMarcus. I honestly think he was a little too talented for college football, if that makes sense. He was always trying to make plays that most college players wouldn't because he probably felt like he had more talent than anyone else on the field (which was mostly true).

What do you guys think?

 

He definitely belongs on a short list, with Billy Cannon, Jerry Stovall, Tommy Cassanova, Bert Jones, Josh Reed, Kevin Faulk, Michael Clayton.

He has the strongest arm I've ever seen, and he can put the ball where it needs to go, even when moving.

 

There is a certain running back from Patterson that I would include on that list. "Most talented" is difficult to define and assess. I'd personally put Jamarcus up there in the mix, his play in the last 7 games of the season was lights out.

 

No. Biggest physical freak. Yes. Most upside. Yes. Most talented. Not yet.

 

Actually, I thought he was better at putting the ball where it needed to be when he was on the run as opposed to when he had time and stood in the pocket.

 

I always wonder how each most talented player would have finished their career at LSU had they played 4 full years. We will never know. To have a more mature JM for next year would have been huge.

 

Speaking from a strictly talent poin of view, I still have to say Cecil Collins was the best I ever saw. If his head would have been screwed on a little tighter he could have gone down as one of the best college RBs of all-time.

 

Good point. If JR stays he is most likely invited to the Heisman ceremony and would have a good shot at winning. BC is the only other Heisman winner at LSU. That would have put him in great company had he returned. However, has LSU ever had a player go first overall in the modern era of the NFL draft?

 

Was Russell a 5*? It makes me wonder what our big time players were rated coming out of high school. I remember Russell's signing was a big deal - he must have been a 5*.