Brady Russell Bio
Brady Russell is an American professional football fullback for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL). Born on August 31, 1998, at Camp Pendleton in California, Russell played college football for the Colorado Buffaloes from 2017 to 2022 before signing with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2023. He joined the Seattle Seahawks in September 2023 and later became a key depth piece in their offensive schemes. Russell won Super Bowl LX with the Seahawks in February 2026, defeating the New England Patriots 29-13. Standing 6 feet 3 inches and weighing 250 pounds, Russell transitioned from tight end to fullback during the 2025 off-season under new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak.
Early Life and Background
Russell was born on August 31, 1998, at Camp Pendleton in California, a United States Marine Corps base. Several members of his family have notable athletic backgrounds in football. His father, Randy Russell, and uncle, Marc Booth, both played football for the Arkansas Razorbacks. His uncle, Matt Russell, played for the Colorado Buffaloes and later became an executive with the Philadelphia Eagles. Russell has multiple brothers who pursued athletics at various institutions: Cody Russell played for the Northern Colorado Bears, while Tyler Russell ran track at Navy.
Russell attended Fossil Ridge High School in Fort Collins, Colorado, where he initially competed in track and field before switching his focus to football. He played defensive end and occasionally tight end during his high school career. Russell earned back-to-back team most valuable player honors as both a junior and senior, while also securing first-team All-Front Range League honors on defense twice. He received one second-team selection on offense during his senior year.
Despite receiving a scholarship offer from Football Championship Subdivision program Northern Colorado, Russell chose to walk on at Football Bowl Subdivision Colorado. He was rated as a two-star recruit by recruiting services at the time.
Path to Professional Football
Russell began his college career at the University of Colorado in 2017 as a true freshman. During his first year, he split time learning both outside linebacker and tight end before quickly establishing himself at tight end. Russell spent much of his freshman season on the scout team and was recognized as Colorado’s 2017 Offensive Scout Player of the Year for his work with the second and third units.
His dedication in training camp paid off in 2018 when he earned a scholarship prior to the regular season, an achievement that typically takes walk-ons a minimum of three years to accomplish, if at all. Russell placed second on the depth chart at tight end that season and recorded five receptions for 41 yards. He made a significant jump in production during 2019, catching 23 passes for 221 yards with two touchdowns, exceeding the total receptions by Colorado tight ends over the previous three seasons combined.
Russell was named team captain in 2020 but suffered an injury in the second game that ended his season prematurely. He bounced back with his best statistical season in 2021, leading the team with 25 receptions for 307 yards and earning a nomination for the Burlsworth Trophy, awarded to the top college football player who began his career as a walk-on. He returned for a final season in 2022, compiling 20 catches for 153 yards. Russell finished his Colorado career with 78 receptions for 799 yards and three touchdowns.
Brady Russell Career
Philadelphia Eagles (2023)
After going unselected in the 2023 NFL Draft, Russell signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent. He joined the organization that employed his uncle, Matt Russell, as an executive. Russell was waived during final roster cuts on August 29, 2023, but was re-signed to the team’s practice squad shortly after.
Seattle Seahawks (2023-Present)
Russell was signed off the Eagles’ practice squad to the Seattle Seahawks’ 53-man roster on September 20, 2023. He appeared in 15 games during his rookie season, logging 7 tackles while playing two percent of the team’s offensive snaps, primarily contributing on special teams. Russell continued in a reserve role during the 2024 season, appearing in 11 games and maintaining his focus on special teams contributions.
The 2025 season brought significant change for Russell when the Seahawks hired Klint Kubiak as their new offensive coordinator. Kubiak’s arrival meant a renewed emphasis on the fullback position, a role that his predecessor Ryan Grubb had not utilized. Russell transitioned from tight end to fullback during the 2025 off-season to adapt to Kubiak’s offensive philosophy. He competed for the backup fullback position behind Robbie Ouzts during training camp and made the Seahawks’ 53-man roster entering the season.
Russell played in Super Bowl LX on February 8, 2026, as the Seahawks defeated the New England Patriots 29-13 to claim the championship. On March 12, 2026, he re-signed with the Seahawks on a two-year contract worth $4.8 million. Earlier that year on April 9, 2025, he had signed his exclusive rights free agent contract with the team following the 2024 season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Russell brings versatility to the fullback position having played both tight end and fullback at the professional level. His experience as a collegiate tight end gives him reliable hands and route-running ability uncommon for the position. Russell’s background on special teams has established him as a core contributor in the kicking game. His football intelligence, developed through his family’s deep roots in the sport, helps him quickly process defensive schemes and find openings in the run game.
Notable Events and Milestones
The highlight of Russell’s career thus far came in February 2026 when he captured his first Super Bowl championship with the Seahawks. He was placed on injured reserve on January 2, 2025, with a foot injury that ended his 2024 season prematurely. His transition from tight end to fullback under Kubiak represented a significant positional adjustment that could shape his NFL career trajectory going forward.
Brady Russell Career Statistics
Russell has compiled limited but consistent NFL statistics through his first two seasons, primarily contributing on special teams while developing as a depth player at offensive skill positions.
NFL Regular Season Statistics
Through the 2024 season, Russell has appeared in 26 regular season games with no starts, recording 31 total tackles, all on special teams. He has recovered one fumble during his NFL career.
College Statistics (Colorado 2017-2022)
Russell finished his five-year college career with 78 receptions for 799 yards and three touchdowns. His most productive season came in 2021 when he led the team with 307 receiving yards. He was named the 2017 Offensive Scout Player of the Year and earned a nomination for the Burlsworth Trophy in 2021.
Postseason Statistics
Russell played in Super Bowl LX with the Seahawks during the 2025 season, contributing to the team’s championship victory over the Patriots.
| Competition | Games | Receptions | Yards | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| College (Colorado) | 5 seasons | 78 | 799 | 3 |
| NFL Regular Season | 26 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| NFL Postseason | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Brady Russell Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Russell comes from an athletic family with deep roots in football. His father Randy Russell and uncle Marc Booth both played at the University of Arkansas for the Razorbacks football program. His uncle Matt Russell played college football at Colorado and built a career in NFL administration as an executive with the Philadelphia Eagles, the same organization that initially signed Brady Russell in 2023. This family connection gave Russell early exposure to professional football operations and potentially influenced his career path.
Russell has multiple brothers who pursued collegiate athletics. Cody Russell played for the Northern Colorado Bears football team. Tyler Russell competed in track and field at the United States Naval Academy. This widespread athletic participation across different sports and institutions demonstrates a family culture that values competitive sports.
Personal Life
Russell graduated from Fossil Ridge High School in Fort Collins, Colorado, before walking on to the Colorado Buffaloes football program. He chose Colorado over an offer from Northern Colorado, demonstrating his ambition to compete at the higher Football Bowl Subdivision level despite having to earn his place as a walk-on. Russell maintains a presence on social media with verified accounts on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter). His professional football career has taken him from his Colorado base to the East Coast with the Eagles before settling with the Seahawks in the Pacific Northwest.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a transitional year for Russell as he adapted to a new position under offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. Russell converted from tight end to fullback during the off-season program, embracing the change as Kubiak planned to incorporate the fullback position more prominently into the Seahawks’ offense. Kubiak’s hiring represented a philosophical shift from his predecessor, who had not utilized a traditional fullback during his tenure.
Russell competed for the backup fullback role behind Robbie Ouzts throughout training camp and the preseason. He secured a spot on the Seahawks’ 53-man roster entering the regular season, demonstrating his value as a depth player and special teams contributor. His versatility proved beneficial as he adjusted to the physical demands of playing fullback, a position that requires different blocking techniques and spatial awareness compared to tight end.
The season ended prematurely for Russell when he was placed on injured reserve on January 2, 2025, with a foot injury. Despite the injury, his ability to transition positions and earn a roster spot in a new system displayed his adaptability. Following the season, he signed his exclusive rights free agent contract with the Seahawks on April 9, 2025, ensuring his return for the 2025 campaign. The team later signed him to a two-year, $4.8 million extension in March 2026, reflecting their confidence in his contributions to the roster.