2021 St. Thomas Aquinas (FL) 3-star CB Tyson Russell first put his name on the map as a sophomore in 2018, and soon after earned offers from Power 5 schools such as NC State, Syracuse, Purdue, Minnesota, Vanderbilt, and Pitt. After a solid junior campaign, Russell has had a hot start to his offseason, earning praise for his work at both the Battle 7v7 tournament and the Rivals Miami camp.
“I think I did pretty good,” Russell said of Rivals Miami. “I’m a pretty physical player. I like to get my hands on people, make hits, get interceptions. That’s pretty much my game, just trying to dominate on the field. I mean, there’s always room for improvement and to get better, but I think I did well.”
With Russell’s profile on the rise, an interesting wrinkle to this recruitment is his connection to the Miami Hurricanes’ program: Tyson’s father, Twan Russell, was a linebacker for both the local Canes and the Miami Dolphins in the 90’s and early 2000’s.
“I grew up a Miami fan since I was little, going to the games with my dad,” Tyson said. “My dad talks to me about Miami a little bit, but he kind of stays out of me choosing where I want to go. He’s just letting me make my own decisions, so he mostly stays out of it.”
Russell has yet to receive an offer from UM, but where would Miami be on his list if he were to land one?
“If I got the offer, I would highly consider them,” Russell said. “I think about (a UM offer) sometimes, but I’m still open to any schools right now. I don’t know exactly where I want to go yet, so I’m open to anything.”
The 5-10 160 pound prospect took a step in the direction of potentially building a relationship with the UM staff when he attended UM’s Junior Day event in late January.
“It was pretty cool, it was just seeing the campus, seeing the facilities, meeting with some of the coaches and putting some faces to names,” Russell said. “I thought the facilities were really nice - the practice facility, that’s where we were at most of the time. We went up to the offices too and they were pretty nice.
“(Coach Mike Rumph and coach Ephraim Banda) were really just telling me how great the school was, just the tradition of the school and everything like that.”
Elsewhere in this recruitment, Russell said he’s in no rush to make a decision, and gave a glimpse of how he sees the process playing out for him.
“I’m kind of taking it slow right now, working on scheduling some visits over the offseason, seeing where I’m going to go visit and just taking it from there,” Russell said. “I’m going to start thinking about a top list soon. After spring, I’ll see how things go, see if I get any new offers or anything like that. I’m not 100% sure yet, but maybe I’ll decide just before the season.”
There’s also a few programs that have already caught Russell’s attention and are beginning to stand out.
“I’ve been hearing a lot from Pittsburgh, Minnesota, Vanderbilt – those are the main colleges that are talking to me the most,” Russell said. “I know Minnesota and Pittsburgh are two places I’m definitely going to visit over this offseason. I’ll probably visit some other schools to compare them to and work from there.”
When it comes time to make a decision, what will that one program have to do to separate itself from the rest?
“Academics will be a big thing for me,” Russell says. “Also, the coaches that are there and the history of the school (will be important).”
As a junior in 2019, Russell posted 18 tackles, 2 INT’s, and 2 PBU’s in 11 games according to MaxPreps in a complementary role on a loaded St. Thomas roster that won a state title. Heading into the 2020 campaign, though, Rusell expects to take on more responsibility as a senior for the Raiders.
“I played corner and safety, a little bit of both. I think I did well during the season, just been working on a lot of things I could’ve done better,” Russell said. “I’ve just been working hard in the offseason to be the best I can be for this last season. I’m working on technique, running track, working on speed. Working out, getting bigger, stronger. All aspects of the game, trying to get better to be the best I can be.
“I’m expecting to just take over this year, and just do what I know I can do.”
At the Opening Miami Regional last February, Russell recorded a 4.35 shuttle time and a 32-inch vertical leap.
“I think I did pretty good,” Russell said of Rivals Miami. “I’m a pretty physical player. I like to get my hands on people, make hits, get interceptions. That’s pretty much my game, just trying to dominate on the field. I mean, there’s always room for improvement and to get better, but I think I did well.”
With Russell’s profile on the rise, an interesting wrinkle to this recruitment is his connection to the Miami Hurricanes’ program: Tyson’s father, Twan Russell, was a linebacker for both the local Canes and the Miami Dolphins in the 90’s and early 2000’s.
“I grew up a Miami fan since I was little, going to the games with my dad,” Tyson said. “My dad talks to me about Miami a little bit, but he kind of stays out of me choosing where I want to go. He’s just letting me make my own decisions, so he mostly stays out of it.”
Russell has yet to receive an offer from UM, but where would Miami be on his list if he were to land one?
“If I got the offer, I would highly consider them,” Russell said. “I think about (a UM offer) sometimes, but I’m still open to any schools right now. I don’t know exactly where I want to go yet, so I’m open to anything.”
The 5-10 160 pound prospect took a step in the direction of potentially building a relationship with the UM staff when he attended UM’s Junior Day event in late January.
“It was pretty cool, it was just seeing the campus, seeing the facilities, meeting with some of the coaches and putting some faces to names,” Russell said. “I thought the facilities were really nice - the practice facility, that’s where we were at most of the time. We went up to the offices too and they were pretty nice.
“(Coach Mike Rumph and coach Ephraim Banda) were really just telling me how great the school was, just the tradition of the school and everything like that.”
Elsewhere in this recruitment, Russell said he’s in no rush to make a decision, and gave a glimpse of how he sees the process playing out for him.
“I’m kind of taking it slow right now, working on scheduling some visits over the offseason, seeing where I’m going to go visit and just taking it from there,” Russell said. “I’m going to start thinking about a top list soon. After spring, I’ll see how things go, see if I get any new offers or anything like that. I’m not 100% sure yet, but maybe I’ll decide just before the season.”
There’s also a few programs that have already caught Russell’s attention and are beginning to stand out.
“I’ve been hearing a lot from Pittsburgh, Minnesota, Vanderbilt – those are the main colleges that are talking to me the most,” Russell said. “I know Minnesota and Pittsburgh are two places I’m definitely going to visit over this offseason. I’ll probably visit some other schools to compare them to and work from there.”
When it comes time to make a decision, what will that one program have to do to separate itself from the rest?
“Academics will be a big thing for me,” Russell says. “Also, the coaches that are there and the history of the school (will be important).”
As a junior in 2019, Russell posted 18 tackles, 2 INT’s, and 2 PBU’s in 11 games according to MaxPreps in a complementary role on a loaded St. Thomas roster that won a state title. Heading into the 2020 campaign, though, Rusell expects to take on more responsibility as a senior for the Raiders.
“I played corner and safety, a little bit of both. I think I did well during the season, just been working on a lot of things I could’ve done better,” Russell said. “I’ve just been working hard in the offseason to be the best I can be for this last season. I’m working on technique, running track, working on speed. Working out, getting bigger, stronger. All aspects of the game, trying to get better to be the best I can be.
“I’m expecting to just take over this year, and just do what I know I can do.”
At the Opening Miami Regional last February, Russell recorded a 4.35 shuttle time and a 32-inch vertical leap.
