Signed by Tampa Bay as a college free agent on May 13, 2022.
Was elevated from the practice squad for Tampa Bay's Week 2 victory over Chicago, logging a team-high-tying 20 special teams snaps.
Was elevated from the practice squad for Week 3 vs. Philadelphia and recorded a team-high-tying 19 special teams snaps.
Was elevated from the practice squad for Tampa Bay's Week 4 victory at New Orleans, logging a team-high-tying 21 special teams snaps.
In Week 12 at Indianapolis, logged 13 special teams snaps.
Made his first career start in the Week 13 victory over Carolina, playing 71-of- 72 defensive snaps and finishing with a then-career-high seven tackles (one for loss), one quarterback hit and 1.0 sack.
Russell's sack in Week 13 marked his first career sack.
Appeared on special teams in the Week 14 victory over Atlanta, playing 21 special teams snaps and finishing with one special teams tackle.
Appeared on special teams in the Week 15 victory at Green Bay, logging 18 special teams snaps.
Was inactive for Week 16 vs. Jacksonville and Week 17 vs. New Orleans.
Appeared on special teams in the Week 18 victory over Carolina, recording one special teams tackle.
Was inactive for the Wild Card round vs. Philadelphia and the Divisional round against Detroit.
Spent five seasons at Memphis (2017- 21), appearing in 61 games, while starting 50 of those contests, compiling 306 tackles (24 for loss), eight passes defensed, 5.0 sacks, five forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, one interception and one blocked kick.
Named first-team All-American Athletic Conference (AAC) as a fifth-year senior in 2021, ranking fourth in the nation in solo tackles per game (6.5) and ninth in total tackles per game (10.2), while leading the AAC in both statistics. Started all 12 games for the Tigers, registering 123 tackles (78 solo, 6.5 for loss), 1.0 sack, one interception, one pass defensed and one forced fumble.
Started all 11 games in 2020, totaling 58 tackles (3.5 for loss), three passes defensed and one forced fumble.
Part of a 2019 Memphis team that won the AAC Championship and earned
a berth in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, recording 58 tackles (5.5 for loss) and 1.0 sack.
As a sophomore in 2018, Russell started 13-of-14 games played, tallying 58 tackles (8.5 for loss), 3.0 sacks, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
Sawt ime in all 10games as a true freshman in 2017, notching nine tackles and one blocked kick.
Attended Grenada High School (Grenada, Mississippi), where he was an all-state performer.
A consensus top-75 outside linebacker in the nation by ESPN.com (No. 54), Scout.com (No. 63) and 247Sports (No. 71).
Played in the Mississippi-Alabama All- Star Game.
