Undersized inside linebacker better-suited at the WILL spot in a 3-4, where he can be protected by size around him. He has enough speed and nose for the football to find work on this level, but it may not translate to success in the pros due to his lack of traits and plus speed. He's not twitchy or athletic enough to get away without top-notch instincts and recognition. He's just average in those areas. He loves football. The intangibles and special teams production could give him a shot.
Resilient, mentally tough linebacker whose ability to fight back after two ACL tears to the same knee should tell teams about his football character. Of course, the same ACL tears also tell teams that durability could be a major concern. Russell has had trouble keeping weight on in the past and weighed just 221 pounds at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl in January. His play speed and athleticism are both solid, but he lacks elite instincts as a playmaker to offset concerns about his size and consistency against the run. A trip into camp as an undrafted free agent could be his post-draft destiny.
