After missing the 2014 football season because of an academic suspension at the University of Notre Dame, KeiVarae Russell was determined to make a successful return in 2015.
And he certainly did, starting the first 11 games for the Fighting Irish in what would turn out to be his final season of college football.
Russell, a 2012 graduate of Mariner High School, announced in January that he would not seek a fifth year of NCAA eligibility and would instead declare for the NFL draft. A cornerback, Russell is expected to be one of the top players at that position in the upcoming draft.
“I’m ready to fulfill my dream and help out my family and do other things I wanted to do in my life,” Russell said in a recent interview with SI.com.
The 5-foot-11, 196-pound Russell, a finalist for The Herald’s 2015 Man of the Year in Sports award, started every game in his first two seasons at Notre Dame, including the BCS national championship game vs. Alabama in his freshman year. Then, after serving a seven-month suspension, Russell returned last fall to start the first 11 games, totaling 60 tackles, 3½ tackles for loss, two interceptions and two forced fumbles.
He missed the final regular-season game and the Fiesta Bowl after breaking his leg vs. Boston College on Nov. 21.
Russell, who is close to graduating with a degree in management consulting, told SI.com that he is eager to play in the NFL. “I have so much potential and my ceiling is so high,” he said. “My drive and work ethic is going to come out when I’m around great individuals in the NFL.”
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
