Taylor Russolino Explained

Taylor Russolino
Position:Placekicker
Birth Date:23 May 1989
Birth Place:Metairie, Louisiana, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:0
Weight Lb:180
High School:Archbishop Rummel (LA)
College:Millsaps
Undraftedyear:2011
Pastteams:
Highlights:
  • XFL champion (2023)
  • First-team All-SCAC (2008)
  • 2× Second-team All-SCAC (2009, 2010)
  • Mid Season All-XFL (2020)
Statleague:NFL
Statlabel1:Field goals
Statvalue1:0
Statlabel2:Field goals attempted
Statvalue2:1
Statlabel3:Field goal %
Statvalue3:0.0
Statlabel4:Longest field goal
Statlabel5:Touchbacks
Statvalue5:1
Pfr:RussTa00
Cflstatlabel1:Field goals
Cflstatvalue1:2
Cflstatlabel2:Field goal attempts
Cflstatvalue2:3
Cflstatlabel3:Longest field goal
Cflstatvalue3:19
Cflstatlabel4:Punts
Cflstatvalue4:19
Cflstatlabel5:Punt average
Cflstatvalue5:38.3
Cfl:taylor-russolino/163671
Aflstatlabel1:Field goals
Aflstatvalue1:0
Aflstatlabel2:Field goals attempted
Aflstatvalue2:1
Aflstatlabel3:Extra points
Aflstatvalue3:11
Aflstatlabel4:Extra points attempted
Aflstatvalue4:18
Afl:Taylor_Russolino-12998

Taylor Russolino (born May 23, 1989) is an American gridiron football placekicker who is a free agent. He kicked an XFL-record 58-yard field goal during the 2020 XFL season.

Early life and college

A native of Metairie, Louisiana, Russolino did not play football until his senior year of high school. Originally a soccer player, Russolino was approached by the high school football coach and soccer coach to kick for the football team as their normal kicker was playing in a baseball playoff tournament.[1] After participating in a Ray Guy kicking camp, he dropped soccer after receiving advice from NFL kicker John Carney to pursue a football career.[2]

Russolino played college football at Millsaps College at the Division III level, where he was a three-time all-conference selection, and setting multiple kicking records for the program.

Professional career

Early career

Russolino signed his first professional contract with the Marion Blue Racers of the Continental Indoor Football League in 2013. He signed with the New Orleans VooDoo of the Arena Football League in February 2014.[3] He played in three games, going 11-for-18 on extra point attempts and missed his only field goal attempt.[4] He was placed on injured reserve on April 9, 2014.[5]

Russolino signed with the Spokane Empire of the Indoor Football League in March 2016.[6] [7] Russolino was drafted by the Shanghai Skywalkers in the China Arena Football League draft in June 2016.[8] Russolino was named to the All-Pro South Division All-Stars. He was also one of eight players named to the CAFL Fan's Dream Team.

Canadian Football League

Russolino signed with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League (CFL) on October 26, 2017, to replace their injured regular kicker Boris Bede.[9] Russolino played in two games,[10] punting 19 times for an average of 38.3yards per punt, and making two of his three field goal attempts.[11] He was released on November 30, 2017.[12]

Russolino signed with the BC Lions of the CFL during training camp on May 18, 2019,[13] and was released before the season on May 30, 2019.[14]

St. Louis BattleHawks

Russolino was added to the St. Louis BattleHawks' roster in November 2019.[15] While with the BattleHawks, he set the XFL record for longest made field goal, with a 58-yard field goal.[16] While with the BattleHawks, he started a GoFundMe page for front-line workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, a group which his fiancée was a part of.[17] He was named to the 2020 midseason All-XFL team.[18] He had his contract terminated when the league suspended operations on April 10, 2020.[19]

Denver Broncos

Russolino was signed to the Denver Broncos practice squad on December 7, 2020.[20] He was signed after former punter and XFL broadcaster Pat McAfee recommended him to Broncos special teams coordinator Tom McMahon.[21] Russolino was elevated to the active roster on December 18 for the team's week 15 game against the Buffalo Bills to replace Brandon McManus, who was in COVID-19 protocols, and reverted to the practice squad after the game.[22] Russolino's practice squad contract with the team expired after the season on January 11, 2021.[23]

Arlington Renegades

On November 17, 2022, Russolino was drafted by the Arlington Renegades of the XFL.[24] He re-signed with the team on January 26, 2024.[25] He was released on April 22, 2024.[26]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Walker: From Rummel to XFL with plenty stops in between, Taylor Russolino still has eyes on NFL . NOLA.com . 19 December 2020.
  2. Web site: 2007 Rummel graduate still hoping for NFL kicking opportunity . NOLA.com . 19 December 2020.
  3. Web site: Russolino Signs With AFL's VooDoo . Millsaps College Athletics . February 19, 2004 . December 19, 2020.
  4. Web site: Taylor Russolino ArenaFan statistics . ArenaFan.com . December 19, 2020.
  5. Web site: New Orleans VooDoo Team Transactions . ArenaFan.com . December 19, 2020.
  6. News: Meehan, Jim . Unbeaten Empire receive wake-up call . . . March 12, 2016 . December 19, 2020.
  7. Web site: Empire Signs Kicker Taylor Russolino . Our Sports Central . 19 December 2020.
  8. News: Empire . The Spokesman-Review . Newspapers.com . June 15, 2016 . December 19, 2020.
  9. News: Alouettes add kicker Taylor Russolino to the roster . MontrealAlouettes.com . October 26, 2017 . December 19, 2020.
  10. News: Willes, Ed . Leos still trying to tee up kicker at camp . . Newspapers.com . May 24, 2019 . December 19, 2020.
  11. Web site: Taylor Russolino CFL statistics . CFL.ca . December 19, 2020.
  12. News: The Alouettes released four players . MontrealAlouettes.com . November 30, 2017 . December 19, 2020.
  13. News: Baker, Matt . Training Camp Preview: Trophies Not Won in February . BCLions.com . May 17, 2019 . December 19, 2020.
  14. News: Cartmell, Jamie . Lions Add Quarterback Grant Kraemer To Camp Roster . BCLions.com . May 30, 2019 . December 19, 2020.
  15. 1199801699583414272. tgrussolino. What a time to be Thankful! Lets Go! Excited for the opportunity @XFLBattleHawks #XFL #XFL2020 #STLOUISBATTLEHAWKS #ClearedToEngage. November 27, 2019. Taylor Russolino.
  16. Web site: XFL BattleHawks kicker Taylor Russolino is looking to take a shot at the NFL . XFL Board . 19 December 2020.
  17. Web site: BattleHawks kicker Taylor Russolino starts fundraiser for front line healthcare workers . FOX61 . 19 December 2020.
  18. News: Midseason All-XFL Team . XFL.com . March 11, 2020 . December 19, 2020.
  19. News: Condotta, Bob . XFL suspends operations, terminates all employees, but Jim Zorn says he has hopes league will continue . SeattleTimes.com . April 10, 2020 . December 19, 2020.
  20. Web site: Broncos sign K Taylor Russolino to practice squad . Denver Broncos . 19 December 2020.
  21. Web site: Coach McMahon Reveals Pat McAfee Turned Him Onto K Taylor Russolino . Mile High Huddle . Sports Illustrated . 19 December 2020.
  22. Web site: Broncos elevate K Taylor Russolino, LB Josh Watson from practice squad for Week 15 game vs. Bills . Denver Broncos . 18 December 2020 . 18 December 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201218223617/https://www.denverbroncos.com/news/broncos-elevate-k-taylor-russolino-lb-josh-watson-from-practice-squad-for-week-1 . dead .
  23. News: Heath, Jon . Broncos part ways with 2 practice squad players . USAToday.com . January 11, 2021 . February 16, 2021.
  24. Web site: 2022-11-18 . Rosters for all eight XFL teams: Full draft results and where Vic Beasley, Martavis Bryant landed . 2022-12-30 . ESPN.com . en.
  25. News: UFL: Teams sign eight players, Waive two . UFLBoard.com . January 27, 2024 . January 28, 2024.
  26. Web site: UFL Transactions . 2024-04-23 . UFLBoard.com . en-US.