Archbishop Wood QB chooses Temple Owls amid top offers

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Archbishop Wood Catholic High School quarterback Anthony Russo could not pass up a shot to play at Temple University after he de-committed from Rutgers University last month.

"Growing up I tell everybody being able to sit in the Linc and watch games, at Eagles games, and be able to play in that stadium is something that I'm real excited for.

"And being able to walk out of the stadium, have my family, my friends, everybody there," said Russo.

Family played a big role in Russo's decision, one he says was not easy, especially with a college football powerhouse recruiting him.

LSU coach Les Miles took Russo out to lunch in Warminster just three weeks ago.

But in the end, the 6 foot 4 inches, 230 pounder felt more comfortable throwing his future into the hand of Temple's Matt Rhule.

"Coach Rhule in my opinion is one of the best college coaches in the country," said Russo. "It's a program on the rise, and it's a great opportunity for me to play there."

Russo is accustomed to winning. He's won four Catholic league titles and two state championships at Archbishop Wood.

And he expects to win at Temple, too - even though that has not always been the case on North Broad Street.

"The way this program's going and the way it's rising in a couple year's were gonna be right up there with Alabama and LSU ... I firmly believe that," said Russo.

When he gets to run Temple's offense is up in the air.

Russo, who threw 35 touchdowns as a senior at Archbishop Wood, will find out this summer if he'll redshirt his freshman year.