Wikipedia

Taylor Russolino

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.

Taylor Russolino
Personal information
Born: (1989-05-23) May 23, 1989 (age 35)
Metairie, Louisiana, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:180 lb (82 kg)
Career information
High school:Archbishop Rummel (LA)
College:Millsaps
Position:Placekicker
Undrafted:2011
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
  • XFL champion (2023)
  • First-team All-SCAC (2008)
  • 2× Second-team All-SCAC (2009, 2010)
  • Mid Season All-XFL (2020)
Career NFL statistics
Field goals:0
Field goals attempted:1
Field goal %:0.0
Touchbacks:1
Stats at Pro Football Reference
Career CFL statistics
Field goals:2
Field goal attempts:3
Longest field goal:19
Punts:19
Punt average:38.3
Stats at CFL.ca
Career Arena League statistics
Field goals:0
Field goals attempted:1
Extra points:11
Extra points attempted:18
Stats at ArenaFan.com

Early life and college

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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

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Early career

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Russolino signed his first professional contract with the Marion Blue Racers of the Continental Indoor Football League in 2013.[3] 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

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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 38.3 yards 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

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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

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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

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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]

References

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