Worcester, MA --- Senior linebacker Tyler
Russell has been named to both the Division III Senior
Football Classic and a Consensus Draft Services Preseason
All-American Teams. Russell had an outstanding junior campaign last
season as he ended the year with 122 tackles and 71 solo stops for
an average of 12.20 per game.
Russell, who hails from Princeton, MA was a first-team
All-Worcester area selection and a second-team All New England
Football Conference (NEFC) honoree a year ago. His solo tackles
were fourth in the NCAA Division III, his total tackles were tied
for sixth nationally and his average was ninth. Russell's total
tackles were also the second highest mark every put up in program
history as he was only 10 stops shy of Lancer Hall of Famer
Scott Holland's mark set set in 1995.
After he started last season with just 11 tackles in two games,
Russell recorded 111 stops in his last eight games for an average
of 13.86. Russell logged 15-plus tackles in four games which
included 15 against Maine Maritime, 16 against Nichols and
Bridgewater State and a season-best 20 against Westfield State.
Russell ended the year with 10 tackles for a loss, three fumble
recoveries and a forced fumble. In his three-year career as a
starter at linebacker he has 225 tackles (111 solo), 17 tackles for
a loss and 5.5 sacks. Russell also led the 2008 Lancers with 91
tackles (55 solo) in his sophomore season.
On the Division III Football Senior Classic Preseason All-American
North roster, Russell, a second-teamer, is joined in the NEFC by
Westfield State senior punter Chris Stengel
(Forest Hill, MD) (1st Team), senior running back Justin
Fuller (Somerset, MA) (2nd Team), Curry senior placekicker
Matt Alkenisinis (Mansfield, MA) (2nd Team), Coast
Guard senior defensive back Chris Costello
(Weymouth, MA) (Honorable Mention) and Fitchburg State senior wide
receiver Carlos De La Rosa (Holyoke, MA)
(Honorable Mention).
The Consensus Draft Services squad had four players from New England on their first team which included Russell, Fuller, Middlebury quarterback Donald McKillop (Poway, CA) and Mount Ida junior running back Johrone Bunch (Meriden, CT).
The Lancers look to shake off a 1-9 season last year with a new rotation in their NEFC schedule. Worcester State will open the season with Anna Maria under the lights at Coughlin Field on Friday, September 3 at 7 PM before they begin conference play with Westfield State at home on Saturday, September 25 at 1:30.
2010 Division III Senior Football Classic Preseason All-American Team