J.J. Russell

Acquired By Bucs:

Signed by Tampa Bay as a college free agent on May 13, 2022.

Acquired By Bucs:

Signed by Tampa Bay as a college free agent on May 13, 2022. 

2022 Highlights:

Appeared in six games for Tampa Bay, logging four total tackles. 

Was elevated from the practice squad prior to Week 8 vs. Baltimore, appearing on special teams.

Was signed to the active roster on November 2, 2022. 

Was inactive for Week 10 vs. Seattle.

Was waived on Nov. 26 and re-signed to the team's practice squad on Nov. 29.

Was elevated from the practice squad prior to Week 15 vs. Cincinnati, appearing on special teams.

Was elevated from the practice squad prior to Week 16 at Arizona, recording a team-high-tying 27 special teams snaps and logging one special teams tackle. 

Logged a team-high-tying 22 special teams snaps in Week 17 vs. Carolina. 

Played 45 defensive snaps in Week 18 at Atlanta, finishing with four tackles. Also added one special teams tackle. 

College:

Spent five seasons at Memphis (2017-21), appearing in 61 games, while starting 50 of those contests, compiling 306 tackles (24 for loss), eight passes defensed, 5.0 sacks, five forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, one interception and one blocked kick. 

Named first-team All-American Athletic Conference (AAC) as a fifth-year senior in 2021, ranking fourth in the nation in solo tackles per game (6.5) and ninth in total tackles per game (10.2), while leading the AAC in both statistics. Started all 12 games for the Tigers, registering 123 tackles (78 solo, 6.5 for loss), 1.0 sack, one interception, one pass defensed and one forced fumble. 

Started all 11 games in 2020, totaling 58 tackles (3.5 for loss), three passes defensed and one forced fumble. 

Part of a 2019 Memphis team that won the AAC Championship and earned a berth in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, recording 58 tackles (5.5 for loss) and 1.0 sack. 

As a sophomore in 2018, Russell started 13-of-14 games played, tallying 58 tackles (8.5 for loss), 3.0 sacks, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. 

Saw time in all 10 games as a true freshman in 2017, notching nine tackles and one blocked kick. 

Personal:

Attended Grenada High School (Grenada, Mississippi), where he was an all-state performer. 

A consensus top-75 outside linebacker in the nation by ESPN.com (No. 54), Scout.com (No. 63) and 247Sports (No. 71). 

Played in the Mississippi-Alabama All-Star Game.