Ball State’s long, physical DB prospect with upside
Russell Peterson is a 6-foot-2, 193-pound redshirt freshman defensive back for Ball State in the 2025 season who arrives with a pedigree: a four-year varsity background, U.S. Army All-American recognition, and seven career interceptions plus 11 touchdowns in high school. He did not play in games during his 2024 redshirt season, so the big question is translation, not talent. What pops is length, versatility, and two-way competitiveness from his Avon HS days—traits that usually show up in press coverage, tackling range, and special-teams value. If you want a developmental, high-upside DB, Peterson is a smart, intriguing swing.
