The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected linebacker Chapelle Russell from Temple with their seventh round selection sitting at 241st overall.
Russell led Lakewood High School in New Jersey as a dual-threat quarterback who won All-Class B South honors as a senior. He moved in with his coach's parents in high school as his mother, Nikita Smith, was reassigned to another post in the Navy. Russell decided to attend school in Philadelphia, redshirting his first year with the Owls. He then tore his right ACL in consecutive seasons (25 tackles, two for loss in 10 games, one start in 2016; 70 tackles, 3.5 for loss, two forced fumbles in nine games with seven starts in 2017). Russell was Temple's Male Comeback Player of the Year for all sports in 2018, starting all 13 games, recording 70 tackles (five for loss), three pass breakups, and leading the nation with five fumble recoveries. He stayed healthy again as a senior, starting all 13 games and posting 72 tackles, nine for loss, and three pass breakups. His father passed away from cancer during Russell's freshman year.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have one final pick currently remaining as they still hold a seventh round selection at 245th overall.
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