Baylor's Seth Russell fully cleared from neck injury

Baylor quarterback Seth Russell said Thursday via Instagram that he has been fully cleared by doctors to resume his football career following last year's neck surgery.

Russell threw for 2,104 yards and 29 touchdowns last season, and was in the thick of the Heisman Trophy conversation, before suffering a broken bone in his neck Oct. 24 that required surgery and ended his season.

Former head coach Art Briles said in May that he expected Russell to be cleared for contact at some point in June.

Though he'll face competition from Jarrett Stidham in fall camp, Russell is presumed to be the favorite to land the starting job heading into this season.

Baylor kicks off its 2016 campaign Sept. 3 against Northwestern.