Jun 10, 2025; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals linebacker J.J. Russell (51) during minicamp at the teams Arizona Cardinals Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The University of Memphis family has cause to celebrate today, as it wishes a happy birthday to alumnus and former Tiger Linebacker JJ Russell, who was born on this day in 1998 in Grenada, Mississippi.
Russell started off playing football at a park in Grenada when he was 9 years old, eventually beginning his freshman career at the UofM in 2017.
Russell would finish his college football career in 2021, where he led his team with 123 tackles and 78 solo tackles.
After his time at Memphis, Russell would go on to play 30 career games with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2022 to 2024 before signing on to his current deal with the Arizona Cardinals the following year.
