Tom Roussell (1977) - Southern Miss M-Club Hall of Fame

Tom Roussell

Induction:
1977

Tommy (Skee) Roussel was a talented and dominating defensive end for some of the greatest Southern Miss defenses in school history. Playing for Coach Thad (Pie) Vann during the 1965 through 1967 seasons, Roussel was a player who had all the tools, and a rare defensive player that could take a game into his own hands and almost single-handedly control its outcome.
   Roussel came to Southern Miss from Thibodaux, Louisiana and at 6-3, 220-pounds, he was larger than many of the ends of his time. But what made him so good was the speed and quickness that he had in combination with that size and strength.
   He was also a great student of the game. There are many players who have all the physical tools to play the game of football, but it is unique to find one that seems as if he is made to play the game. Roussel was one of those players that just seemed to have a knack for the game. Although he was one of the hardest working players on the squad, his natural instincts for the game is what elevated him to the level he achieved.
   Roussel always seemed to know when the opposition was going to run the football and when they were going to pass. On running plays he seemed to know ahead of time, which player was going to carry the ball and where he was headed. While on passing plays he also seemed to know in advance where a pass was heading or the quickest route to get to the passer.
   As a reserve on the 1965 Southern squad, Roussel wasted little time proving to his coaches and teammates alike that he had the skills to make a contribution. Playing some at defensive end, and even starting a couple of times, and getting considerable playing time on the special teams, he made big contributions on a team that started the season by winning five of its first six games and finishing the year with a 7-2 record. He was a part of a Southern defense that recorded four shutouts and allowed only two opponents to score more than one touchdown on them that season. That 1965 defense led the nation in total defense, allowing only 161.8 points a game and was second in the nation in scoring defense allowing only 14.1 points a game.
   By 1966 Roussel was solidly entrenched in the starting lineup at defensive end and started to really make a name for himself as a big play performer. As one of the leaders of the Southern defense, they ranked No. 1 in the country again in total defense, allowing only 163.7 yards a game and 16th in the country in scoring defense, allowing fewer points per game than they had the year before, 10.3.
   Roussel was touted as an All-America candidate his senior year in 1967 and helped lead the team to a 6-3 record as again the Southern Miss defense was one of the best in the nation, ranking sixth, giving up just 199.3 yards a game and third in the country against the run, allowing only 60.1 yards per game.
   He was a second round draft pick (36th player taken overall) by the Washington Redskins in the 1968 NFL draft and played professionally for several years with the Redskins, New Orleans and Philadelphia.