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Former Trojan, Texas A&M standout Russell signs Packers
Thursday, August 15, 2024
Sam Houston State wide receiver Noah Smith, center, is wrapped up by Texas A&M linebacker Chris Russell Jr. (24) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in College Station, Texas. Russell, a former Dyersburg High School Trojan standout, signed with the Green Bay Packers earlier this week.
AP Photo/David J. Phillip
By JASON PEEVYHOUSE
A former Dyersburg High School football standout made the most of an NFL tryout earlier this week and is now one step closer to the dream of playing on Sundays as former Trojan linebacker Chris Russell was signed to a contract by the Green Bay Packers.
Russell's signing was announced on Tuesday following numerous injuries on the Packer roster at the linebacker position.
Dyersburg Head Coach Bart Stowe, who coached Russell during his career at DHS, said the linebacker's signing was truly exciting.
“I am truly proud for him and his family and our program,” Stowe said. “This is truly exciting.
“He's the first player since I've been coaching here that has reached the NFL. So I am very proud of Chris.”
Russell is just the second player Stowe has coached at the high school level who has reached the National Football League. In taking into account the number of players Stowe coached during his career which begins its 24th year next week, that makes for a pretty elite group of players.
This is also a chance to get the Dyersburg High School program more exposure.
“I think it's great exposure,” Stowe added. “There's a lot of positive vibes to it.
“Really proud for him. Chris was a fine player for us and did a great job. He had a huge impact on our team.”
Russell was a big part of the 2018 Dyersburg High School team which went undefeated and reached the TSSAA Class 4A Quarterfinals.
“With our program, it touches us,” the Trojan head coach said of Russell's signing. “It's something that we're going to talk about and something we're going to put on the wall and be proud of it.”
The 2019 Dyersburg High School graduate also made an impact at the college level with the Aggies.
Russell's best season was 2022 when he recorded 66 tackles, seven tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, 10 pressures and 33 stops across 13 starts and 685 snaps. Last season, Russell had 30 tackles with two being for loss. He also had two sacks and an interception for the Aggies.
“He had a great career in college at Texas A&M,” Stowe added.
Stowe added he and his staff attended several games Russell played in college.
“It's great for our school, our football team, and our community,” Stowe said. “The exposure and just everybody being proud of it because it doesn't happen.
“I've been the head coach here for 16 years and I was the head coach for eight years at Haywood and, like I said, I've had two players that's had a chance at the NFL.”
Russell is currently listed as No. 47 on the Packers roster. Green Bay travels to Denver this Sunday for preseason action at 7 p.m.