Top Prospect to Watch: Interview with 2024 Arkansas RB/ATH Braylen Russell
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The future on the gridiron for Braylen Russell is whatever Russell wants it to be. The Class of 2024 running back/linebacker, and soon to be defensive end, has off the chart athleticism and strength for his classification. At 6-2, 225, Russell is a power back with speed put into an already collegiate body with a squat max at 460 and a bench press max at 285. As his skills and body matures, the Lakeside High School product has all the potential in the world to develop into one of the top prospects in his peer group.
For an update on his spring and summer workouts, Russell made a stop at the RNG Lab.
*Click the link for Braylen Russell’s April RNG video interview
Interview
Braylen, let’s begin talking about your offseason workouts with a focus on speed and agility. What are some of the exercises you are doing to give yourself that extra advantage on the field?
With my speed and agility, I am working on my footwork to be an explosive running back. I am working with bands, working on my quickness, and running hills. I’ve been doing breakaway speed drills and build up speed drills.
What have you been doing in the weight room to add more power to your skills?
I squat, do dumbbell squats, bench press, deadlifts, cleans, curls – all that.
Have you maxed out on any of your lifts this offseason?
Yes, my squat is 460 and I got 285 on bench but haven’t really maxed on any others. We just lift every day. We will max out at the end of the summer before going into the season.
You’ve been that two-way player lining up at running back and linebacker; will we still see you on both sides of the ball this fall?
Yes, at defensive end and running back.
Are you excited about playing end?
Yes, sir.
As an end, what have you been doing to learn more about the position?
I have been learning about the position from Hudl, learning where to go when the play is called, and learning what to do. The best thing on the field is knowing what to do.
What camps have you been to this offseason so far?
I have been to the RNG camp in Little Rock and I am going to a camp on the 23rd through 25th in Dallas at Cowboys Stadium.
Very cool. Are there any college camps you may go to this summer?
I am looking at some to go to, I am looking at an Arkansas camp.
Braylen, thanks for your time today. Keep up all the hard work this offseason.
Yes, sir. Thank you.
*Click the link for Braylen Russell’s 2020 season Hudl reel
Photo credit: RNG; Braylen Russell