KeiVarae Russell
{{Short description|American football player (born 1993)}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2021}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = KeiVarae Russell
| image =
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption =
| current_team =
| number = 20, 34, 35
| position = Cornerback
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1993|10|19}}
| birth_place = Everett, Washington, U.S.
| height_ft = 5
| height_in = 11
| weight_lbs = 196
| high_school = Mariner (Everett)
| college = Notre Dame
| draftyear = 2016
| draftround = 3
| draftpick = 74
| pastteams =
- Kansas City Chiefs ({{NFL Year|2016}})
- Cincinnati Bengals ({{NFL Year|2016}}–{{NFL Year|2018}})
- Los Angeles Chargers ({{NFL Year|2019}})*
- New York Giants ({{NFL Year|2020}})*
- Green Bay Packers ({{NFL Year|2020}})
- New Orleans Saints ({{NFL Year|2021}})
| status =
| highlights =
- Freshman All-American (2012)
| statweek =
| statseason =
| statlabel1 = Total tackles
| statvalue1 = 23
| statlabel2 = Forced fumbles
| statvalue2 =
| statlabel3 = Fumble recoveries
| statvalue3 =
| statlabel4 = Pass deflections
| statvalue4 = 2
| statlabel5 = Interceptions
| statvalue5 = 1
| pfr = R/RussKe00
}}
KeiVarae Russell (born October 19, 1993) is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the third round of the 2016 NFL draft. He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
Early life
Russell attended Mariner High School in Everett, Washington, where he was named to the first-team Washington class 4A by the Associated Press as a senior,{{Cite web |date=December 19, 2011 |title=Associated Press all-state football team |url=http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/high-school/associated-press-all-state-football-team-1/ |access-date=2023-12-09 |website=The Seattle Times}} after gaining 1,293 rushing yards on 177 attempts with 14 touchdowns. He was selected to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas.{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20111029/BLOG18/111029782|title=Russell selected to play in U.S. Army All-American Bowl|work=The Daily Herald|date=October 29, 2011 }}
Considered a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, he was rated as the 9th-best athlete prospect of his class.{{Cite web |title=KeiVarae Russell, 2012 Athlete, Notre Dame |url=https://rivals.com/content/athletes/keivarae-russell-31834?view=pv |access-date=2023-12-09 |website=Rivals.com |language=en-US}} He committed to play college football for Notre Dame on December 29, 2011, over offers from California, USC and hometown Washington.{{Cite web |last=Elliott |first=Bud |date=December 29, 2011 |title=KeiVarae Russell Commits To Notre Dame Over Washington |url=https://www.sbnation.com/college-football-recruiting/2011/12/29/2667240/keivarae-russell-commitment-notre-dame-announcement |access-date=2023-12-09 |website=SBNation.com}}
{{College athlete recruit start|40=yes|collapse=no|year=2015}}
{{College athlete recruit entry
| recruit = KeiVarae Russell
| position = RB
| hometown = Everett, Washington
| highschool = Everett (WA) Mariner
| feet = 6
| inches = 0
| weight = 175
| 40 = 4.55
| commitdate = December 29, 2011
| scout stars = 4
| rivals stars = 4
| espn grade = 79
}}
{{College athlete recruit end
| year = 2012
| rivals ref title = Notre Dame Football Commitment List
| scout ref title = Notre Dame College Football Recruiting Commits
| espn ref title = ESPN
| rivals school = notredame
| scout s = 109
| espn schoolid = 78
| scout overall = 207 (national)
| rivals overall = 9 (RB), 3 (WA), 124 (national)
| espn overall =
| accessdate = January 11, 2016
| bball =
}}
College career
In his first year, Russell was moved from running back to cornerback following a season-ending injury to incumbent starter Lo Wood.{{Cite web |last=James |first=Tyler |date=March 26, 2014 |title=Notre Dame football's elder statesman, Russell ready for new role |url=https://www.ndinsider.com/story/sports/football/2014/03/26/otre-dame-footballs-elder-statesman-russell-ready-for-new-role/46390821/ |access-date=2023-12-09 |website=Notre Dame Insider |language=en-US}} He worked himself into a starting role for week 1 of the season vs. Navy, in Dublin, Ireland. Russell started all 13 games as a true freshman, including the 2013 BCS National Championship Game vs. Alabama. He recorded 58 tackles, including two for loss, and two interceptions, and was named a Freshman All-American by the Football Writers Association of America.{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalchamps.net/2012/awards/AA_FWAA_freshman_team.htm|title=2012 FWAA Freshman All-America Team|work=nationalchamps.net}} As a sophomore, Russell started all 13 games in 2013, registering 51 tackles, one interception and eight pass break-ups.
On August 14, 2014, the University of Notre Dame announced that they were investigating suspected academic dishonesty on the part of several students, including members of the football team; Russell along with DaVaris Daniels, Kendall Moore, and Ishaq Williams were those named in the investigation, with another player, Eilar Hardy, named a few weeks later.{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2014/08/15/notre-dame-investigates-cheating-scandal/14116413/|title=Notre Dame investigates academic fraud, holds out four players|date=August 15, 2014|work=USA Today}} On October 10, 2014, following the conclusion of the school's investigation, Russell was suspended for the fall and spring semesters from the school, and did not play for the Irish in the 2014–15 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/11676941/keivarae-russell-notre-dame-fighting-irish-play-season|title=KeiVarae Russell of Notre Dame Fighting Irish won't play against this season|date=October 10, 2014 |publisher=ESPN}}
After being suspended for seven months by the university, Russell announced on May 29, 2015 that he had been re-admitted to the university for the upcoming semester.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/12977463/keivarae-russell-says-suspension-notre-dame-fighting-irish-lifted|title=KeiVarae Russell says his suspension from the Notre Dame Fighting Irish has been lifted|date=May 29, 2015 |publisher=ESPN}} He returned to the field and started 11 games, before missing the remaining two games with a fractured tibia.[https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/14195072/keivarae-russell-cj-prosise-notre-dame-fighting-irish-injured-win-boston-college-eagles Notre Dame dealing with further injury trouble after BC win] He finished his season with 60 tackles, 3.5 for loss, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, and six pass deflections. On January 4, 2016, Russell announced he would forgo his remaining eligibility at Notre Dame and enter the 2016 NFL draft.[https://www.si.com/college-football/2016/01/04/keivarae-russell-declares-nfl-draft-notre-dame Notre Dame cornerback KeiVarae Russell declares for 2016 NFL draft]
Professional career
=Pre-draft=
Russell was projected by analysts to be a second to fourth round draft selection. Although he was invited to the NFL Combine, he was unable to perform any workouts or drills, besides the bench press, due to a leg injury. He was later able to participate at Notre Dame's Pro Day.{{cite web| url=https://www.nfl.com/draft/2016/profiles/keivarae-russell?id=2555547| title=NFL Draft Profile: KeiVarae Russell| access-date=December 21, 2016| publisher=National Football League| archive-date=January 10, 2020| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200110161808/https://www.nfl.com/draft/2016/profiles/keivarae-russell?id=2555547| url-status=bot: unknown}}
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 5
| height in = 11 1/8
| weight = 192
| dash = 4.44
| ten split = 1.60
| twenty split = 2.63
| shuttle = 4.09
| cone drill = 6.89
| vertical = 38.5
| broad ft = 11
| broad in = 2
| bench = 17
| wonderlic =
| arm span = 31 5/8
| hand span = 10
| note = All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day{{Cite web |url=https://www.nfl.com/prospects/keivarae-russell/32005255-5358-5854-c0e7-ea512c954c1d |title=KeiVarae Russell Draft and Combine Prospect Profile |website=NFL.com |access-date=January 24, 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=125048&draftyear=2016&genpos=CB|title=KeiVarae Russell, DS #11 CB, Notre Same: 2016 NFL Draft|access-date=December 21, 2016|website=NFLDraftScout.com|archive-date=December 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222152044/https://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=125048&draftyear=2016&genpos=CB|url-status=bot: unknown}}
}}
=Kansas City Chiefs=
Russell was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the third round (74th overall) of the 2016 NFL draft.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/afcwest/post/_/id/74617/chiefs-get-their-cornerback-in-third-round-in-notre-dames-keivarae-russell|title=Chiefs get their cornerback in third round in Notre Dame's KeiVarae Russell|author=Teicher, Adam|publisher=ESPN|date=April 30, 2016}} On June 13, 2016, the Kansas City Chiefs signed Russell to a four-year, $3.15 million contract with a signing bonus of $813,128. He was the last of the Chiefs' 2016 draft class to be signed to a contract.{{cite web| url=https://www.kansascity.relaymedia.com/amp/sports/spt-columns-blogs/red-zone/article92392997.html| title=Chief's third round pick KeiVarae Russell is a sponge early in training camp| access-date=December 21, 2016| website=Kansas city.com| author=Christian Hardy| date=July 28, 2016}}{{Dead link|date=April 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} On September 14, 2016, Russell was waived by the Chiefs. He was the earliest draft pick waived that was selected in the first four rounds of the 2016 NFL Draft. Chiefs' head coach Andy Reid explained the waiving of Russell, stating that he was unable to get comfortable with the defensive scheme, didn't stand out during training camp and preseason, and was unable to climb the Chiefs' depth chart.{{cite web|url=http://m.bleacherreport.com/articles/2663632-keivarae-russell-waived-by-chiefs-latest-comments-and-reaction| title=KeiVarae Russell waived: Latest comments and reaction| access-date=December 21, 2016| website=bleacher report.com}}{{cite web|title=Chiefs waive 2016 third-round pick KeiVarae Russell|url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/09/14/chiefs-waive-2016-third-round-pick-keivarae-russell/|last=Alper|first=Josh|website=NBCSports.com|date=September 14, 2016 }}
=Cincinnati Bengals=
On September 15, 2016, Russell was claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Bengals.{{cite web|title=Bengals claim KeiVarae Russell|url=http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2016/09/15/bengals-claim-keivare-russell/|author=Jackson, Zac|website=ProFootballTalk.NBCSports.com|date=September 15, 2016|access-date=February 19, 2017}} In Week 17 against the Ravens, on his first career snap on defense, Russell intercepted Ryan Mallett on a deep pass intended for Breshad Perriman.{{cite web|title=Bengals rookie KeiVarae Russell grabs interception on first NFL snap on defense|url=http://www.cincyjungle.com/2017/1/2/14143738/bengals-rookie-keivarae-russell-grabs-interception-on-first-nfl-snap-on-defense|author=Toback, Rebecca|website=CincyJungle.com|date=January 2, 2017|access-date=February 2, 2017}} On September 1, 2018, Russell was waived by the Bengals and was signed to the practice squad the next day.{{cite web|title=Bengals Establish Roster of 53 Players|url=https://www.bengals.com/news/bengals-establish-roster-of-53-players|website=Bengals.com|date=September 1, 2018}}{{cite web|title=Andrew Brown, Russell Signed to Practice Squad|url=https://www.bengals.com/news/andrew-brown-russell-signed-to-practice-squad|website=Bengals.com|date=September 2, 2018}} He was promoted to the active roster on October 18, 2018.{{cite web|title=Bengals sign CB KeiVarae Russell off practice squad, waive WR Auden Tate|url=https://www.cincyjungle.com/2018/10/18/17996362/bengals-sign-cb-keivarae-russell-off-practice-squad-waive-wr-auden-tate|website=CincyJungle.com|date=October 18, 2018}} Russell was waived during final roster cuts on August 31, 2019.{{cite news |title=Bengals Announce 53-Man Roster |url=https://www.bengals.com/news/bengals-announce-53-man-roster |website=Bengals.com |date=August 31, 2019 |access-date=August 31, 2019 |archive-date=August 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190831213214/https://www.bengals.com/news/bengals-announce-53-man-roster |url-status=dead }}
=Los Angeles Chargers=
On November 26, 2019, Russell signed with the Los Angeles Chargers' practice squad. He was released on December 10, 2019.
=New York Giants=
Russell signed with the New York Giants on August 29, 2020.{{cite news |author=Eisen, Michael |title=Giants sign DBs KeiVarae Russell, Brandon Williams |url=https://www.giants.com/news/roster-keivarae-russell-brandon-williams-signed-javon-leake-christian-angulo |website=Giants.com |date=August 29, 2020 |access-date=August 29, 2020}} He was waived on September 5, 2020.{{cite web|title=New York Giants announce 53-man roster|url=https://www.giants.com/news/giants-roster-2020-nfl-season-new-york-announce-53-man-roster-joe-judge|author=Eisen, Michael|website=Giants.com|date=September 5, 2020}}
=Green Bay Packers=
On October 28, 2020, Russell was signed to the Green Bay Packers' practice squad.{{cite web |url= https://www.packers.com/news/packers-sign-two-to-practice-squad| title= Packers sign two to practice squad|website=Packers.com|date=October 28, 2020}} He was elevated to the active roster on November 14 for the team's week 10 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, and reverted to the practice squad after the game.{{cite news |title=Packers activate LB Christian Kirksey from injured reserve |url=https://apnews.com/article/nfl-new-orleans-saints-green-bay-jacksonville-jaguars-football-c57aa096acf0f584549915b2f906b979 |website=APNews.com |date=November 14, 2020 |access-date=December 20, 2020}} He was again elevated on January 15 and 23 for the team's divisional playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams and National Football Conference Championship Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and reverted to the practice squad again following each game.{{Cite web|date=January 15, 2021|title=Packers elevate DL Brian Price and CB KeiVarae Russell for gameday|url=https://www.packers.com/news/packers-elevate-dl-brian-price-and-cb-keivarae-russell-for-gameday|access-date=January 19, 2021|website=packers.com|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|date=January 23, 2021|title=Packers elevate Tramon Williams for gameday as COVID-19 replacement|url=https://www.packers.com/news/packers-elevate-tramon-williams-for-gameday-as-covid-19-replacement|access-date=January 25, 2021|website=Green Bay Packers Official Website|language=en-US|archive-date=January 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123210016/https://www.packers.com/news/packers-elevate-tramon-williams-for-gameday-as-covid-19-replacement|url-status=dead}} On January 26, 2021, Russell signed a reserves/futures contract with the Packers.{{Cite web|date=January 26, 2021|title=Packers sign six free agents|url=https://www.packers.com/news/packers-sign-six-free-agents|access-date=January 27, 2021|website=packers.com|language=en-US}} He was released on May 24, 2021.{{cite web |title=Packers release CB KeiVarae Russell |url=https://www.packers.com/news/packers-release-cb-keivarae-russell |publisher=packers.com |access-date=24 May 2021 |archive-date=May 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524200820/https://www.packers.com/news/packers-release-cb-keivarae-russell |url-status=dead }}
=New Orleans Saints=
On August 2, 2021, Russell signed with the New Orleans Saints.{{cite web|url=https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/new-orleans-saints-roster-moves-prince-amukamara-keivarae-russell-080221|title=New Orleans Saints announce roster moves|work=NewOrleansSaints.com|date=August 2, 2021|accessdate=August 2, 2021}} He was released on August 31, 2021 and re-signed to the practice squad.{{cite web|title=New Orleans Saints make roster reductions to 53|url=https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/new-orleans-saints-make-roster-reductions-to-53-2021|website=NewOrleansSaints.com|date=August 31, 2021}}{{cite web|title=New Orleans Saints announce practice squad additions|url=https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/new-orleans-saints-announce-2021-practice-squad-additions-roster|website=NewOrleansSaints.com|date=September 1, 2021}} He was promoted to the active roster on November 20. He was waived on November 23, 2021 and re-signed to the practice squad.{{cite web | last=Sigler | first=John | title=Saints re-sign Kevin White and Ken Crawley, send two others to injured reserve | website=Saints Wire|publisher=USA Today | date=2021-11-23 | url=https://saintswire.usatoday.com/lists/saints-sign-kevin-white-ken-crawley-nfl-roster-moves/ | access-date=2025-02-01}} He signed a reserve/future contract with the Saints on January 11, 2022.{{cite web|title=Saints sign eight players to reserve/future contracts|url=https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/saints-sign-eight-players-to-reserve-future-contracts-roster|website=NewOrleansSaints.com|date=January 11, 2022}} He was waived on May 3, 2022.{{cite web | last=Alper | first=Josh | title=Saints cut KeiVarae Russell, Jalen Dalton | website=NBC Sports | date=2022-05-04 | url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/saints-cut-keivarae-russell-jalen-dalton | access-date=2025-02-01}}
NFL career statistics
=Regular season=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" | ||||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="5"| Tackles ! colspan="6"| Interceptions ! colspan="2"| Fumbles | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Comb | Total | Ast | Sck | Sfty | PD | Int | Yds | Avg | Lng | TDs | FF | FR |
| 2016 | CIN
| 5 || 0 || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||
| 2017 | CIN
| 8 || 0 || 9 || 9 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||
| 2018 | CIN
| 7 || 1 || 11 || 8 || 3 || 0.0 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||
| 2020 | GB
| 1 || 0 || 9 || 9 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||
| colspan="2"| Career | 21 || 1 || 21 || 18 || 3 || 0.0 || 0 || 2 || 1 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||
| colspan="17"|Source: [https://www.nfl.com/players/keivarae-russell/stats/career NFL.com] |
=Postseason=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" | |||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="4"| Tackles ! colspan="6"| Interceptions ! colspan="2"| Fumbles | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Comb | Total | Ast | Sck | PD | Int | Yds | Avg | Lng | TDs | FF | FR |
| 2020 || GB
| 2 || 0 || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||
| colspan="2"| Career | 2 || 0 || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0.0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||||||
| colspan="17"|Source: [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RussKe00.htm pro-football-reference.com] |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/keivarae_russell_812490.html Notre Dame Fighting Irish bio]
{{Chiefs2016DraftPicks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Russell, KeiVarae}}
Category:Sportspeople from Everett, Washington
Category:Players of American football from Snohomish County, Washington
Category:American football cornerbacks
Category:Notre Dame Fighting Irish football players
Category:Kansas City Chiefs players
Category:Cincinnati Bengals players
Category:Los Angeles Chargers players
Category:New York Giants players