Russ signed with the University of Georgia
in February of 2001. Russ spurned offers from Florida, Georgia Tech,
Clemson and Tennessee among others to sign with the Bulldogs. Russ
redshirted during the 2001 season. He battled injuries during fall
practice but probably would have redshirted anyway. The Dawgs finished
the season with a record of 8-4. Georgia finished the season ranked
22nd and 25th. In 2002 Russ once again battled
injuries through the first month of practice. When Russ finally got
healthy he provided valuable depth at center. Georgia finished the season
with a record of 13-1 and won the S. E. C. Championship. The Dawgs were
ranked 3rd in both polls at the end of the season. As a sophomore in 2003 Russ was
one of only two lineman to start all 14 games. The Dawgs (11-3) finished the season ranked
#6 in the ESPN poll and #7 in the AP poll. UGA finished the 2004 season
with a 10-2 record and were ranked 6th in the country. Russ has been named to the
Dave Rimington Trophy watch list for the last
two years. The Rimington Trophy is college football's award for the
nation's best center. Russ Tanner completed his
career at the
University of Georgia
in 2005.
Russ was the starting center for the Bulldogs for most of the last three
years.
Russ and the
rest of this year's seniors will leave the University with the most wins of
any Bulldog senior class. This year's class has a record of 44-9,
having won at least 10 games in each season. Georgia has played in
three of the last four SEC Championship Games, winning two SEC
Championships. Georgia finished the 2005 season ranked 10th.
Georgia has finished ranked in the Top Ten for the last four years.
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Johnson
County retired Russ Tanner's jersey at a ceremony before the spring game on
May 5th, 2005. This is only the second number to be retired in Johnson
County history. The other one was the jersey #34 of Heisman Trophy
winner Herschel Walker. Russ was a three-time 1st team All State
player while at Johnson County.