[1] As a senior defensive lineman, he registered 62 tackles (17 for loss) and 5 sacks, while being named second-team All-district.

As a junior the team switched to a 3–4 defense in mid-October and he was moved to the Jack linebacker position, recording 11 starts, 35 tackles (5.5 for loss) and 2 sacks.

[1] Russell was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fifth round (163rd overall) of the 2015 NFL draft,[4] after dropping because his physical skills didn't match his on-field production.

[6] In the 2016 training camp, he was given the chance to start after the suspensions to defensive ends DeMarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory.

He missed the fifth and sixth games with a dislocated left shoulder, which limited him the rest of the year.

[15] Following the death of close friend and former teammate Joseph Gilliam in 2018,[16] Russell suffered from a severe bout of depression.

[19][20] Sarah McBride, national Press Secretary for Human Rights Campaign, praised Russell for "creating more space and opportunity for young LGBTQ people to dream big and to pursue their goals".

[22] He penned another The Guardian article in July 2022 stating how NFL players that come out typically find themselves unemployed not long after.