CJ Russell brings juice as a multi-use Southern back with return-game value
In the 2024 season, CJ Russell gave Southern a compact, versatile threat: 334 rushing yards on 75 carries (4.5 per carry) with 4 rushing TDs, plus 318 kickoff-return yards at 21.2 per return, which makes him more than just a downhill runner[3][4][8]. He’s a useful fit if a team wants an experienced back who can help in multiple phases, and his biggest differentiator is value-add versatility rather than pure volume; he also showed big-play pop with a 30-yard kick return and a 61-yard reception in his Southern career[1][8].
