JaMarcus Russell dropped 27 pounds in his continuous effort to make an NFL comeback.

Russell, 27, who was the former No. 1 overall NFL draft pick in 2007 said he still has long way to go back into playing shape however is happy he's not "breaking like a fat man" anymore.

The football star was 315 pounds when he began working out in February. In the last two months he is now at the halfway point in his journey, down to 288 pounds, getting close to his 270 pound goal.

"Through the first couple weeks, I could barely make it through the workout," Russell said. "It was crazy. We go in to do the warm-up, and here I am breathing like a fat man. Now I'm breathing pretty good and able to stand up on my own two feet."

The bearded Russell looks better in shape in the fifth installment of the series by Bleacher Report than in the first video. He hasn't played in the NFL since January 2010, however hopes to get some interest later this month when he hosts a pro day on April 10.

Former quarterback has been training at the TEST Academy in San Diego and his journey has been chronicled by a series of videos by Bleacher Report.