Ex-Baylor QB Russell retires, saying ankle injury didn't heal properly

Former Baylor quarterback Seth Russell retired from football Monday following a failed recovery from a fractured ankle suffered late last season.

"It just has never got better," Russell told Sports Illustrated's Bruce Feldman. "I'd figured it was gonna be a six-month deal. I was working my butt off but whenever I start running, I feel it all through my calf and it's basically my whole foot (that's in pain). It's been frustrating, but that's life. You make a decision and I'm moving on."

Russell was one of the country's more prolific passers over the previous two seasons. He finished his Baylor career with 60 touchdowns and 18 interceptions, most of which came in his two years as the starter.

The ankle injury marked Russell's second major medical blow in as many years, as he missed a bunch of games in 2015 due to a broken bone in his neck.

Russell said he hopes to get into coaching and is looking for a graduate assistant job at the college level.