Local Five-star WR Calvin Russell talks being a 'hometown hero' and recaps official visit

The Miami Hurricanes are looking to end the misery of losing elite skill position talents from South Florida, and one of their main targets is five-star WR Calvin Russell. A Miami Northwestern product, the 6-foot-5 pass catcher also picked up an offer on the court from Jai Lucas as Miami looks to pull all the strings to keep him home. This will be a battle all the way until his July 5th commitment date and beyond, and I was able to catch up with him following his official visit. Here’s what Russell had to say:

Overall Recap from his visit:

“It was a nice visit. I got to know Miami a bit better, had a decent amount of fun, a decent bit of information. It was a great visit.”

“I really got to see the more versatile part of the program, like its fun and business at the same time.”

“I definitely feel better about Miami.”

On the staffs pitch to stay in Miami & his relationship with Malachi Toney:

“That this is home, like this is where I gotta be.”

“Mali’s my brother, so it's like, he wants me to be in the best place for myself. He definitely let me know, like if we together, we’re gonna push each other a lot. 
We're gonna push each other till we can't push each other no more.”

On the basketball side of his recruitment:

“[Basketball] is important in my decision, so we definitely talked about it. We got things right, and that's how it's going.”

(Mentioned wherever he’s going he will be playing basketball as well)

“I talked to coach Lucas. We sat down, and we had a talk. It was like everything went hand in hand, so it wasn't really a problem.”

On his recruiting process and timeline:

“Just going through the process and when I get done with my OV’s I’ll think about it more.”

“Oregon definitely made a great impression, 
Miami, LSU as well. I’m looking for who’s genuine and got a great plan for me and it's gonna help me push myself and take care of my family.

“After I commit, everything is all about ball.”

On what it would mean to stay in Miami to play for the U:

“Oh, it would mean a lot, 'cause I know I could be a neighborhood hero. I know the whole of Miami would love me, Miami got my back, so I feel that would mean a lot.”