Auburn DL Dontavius Russell discusses what separates him from other 2019 defensive linemen
By Adam Spencer
Published:
Though Auburn DL Derrick Brown got a lot of the attention, fellow DL Dontavius Russell was the anchor of the Tigers’ defensive line.
At 320 pounds, Russell is seen as a nose tackle in the NFL, but he is at the Senior Bowl to prove he can be versatile, too.
While speaking to AL.com, Russell said he thinks his consistency is what separates him from other defensive linemen in this draft class:
“I think I separate myself with my consistency and what I’ve done over a long period of time rather than the short,” Russell said. “It’s not like two seasons or one. I’ve been consistent over the last four years of my college career. I think that separates me from other defensive linemen in the class.
“I just want to showcase my athleticism and show that I’m not just a 320-pound guy who just does the same things. I feel like I’m more athletic than what my weight shows, and that’s what I want to show people.”
Being a four-year starter in the SEC isn’t easy, but that’s exactly what Russell did during his Auburn career.
He’ll likely hear his name called at some point during the 2019 NFL Draft, so we’ll see how high he can push his draft stock before then.
Adam is a daily fantasy sports (DFS) and sports betting expert. A 2012 graduate of the University of Missouri, Adam now covers all 16 SEC football teams. He is the director of DFS, evergreen and newsletter content across all Saturday Football brands.
