Russ graduated from Deshler High School in 1986 where he excelled as an athlete for the Tigers in both football ad baseball. In football he led a potent Deshler offense from the quarterback position into the second round of the State playoffs. While he was an outstanding football player, it was baseball that led the Ole Miss Rebels to sign him to a baseball scholarship where he played for two years before returning home to play for the University of North Alabama. During his high school career Russ had a combined 30-7 record as a pitcher from his freshman through his senior season, batted .365 and was named to the 1986 Times Daily All-Area Team. Russ played in the 1986 East-West Games and was named the

MVP in the first, second and third rounds along with playing on the North squad in The East-West finals. In college he was twice named pitcher of the week; once in 1987 for the Rebels and again in 1990 as well as All-Region in 1989-90. Russ was drafted by the Texas Rangers following the 1989-90 seasons.