Good Morning Gators: Randy Russell takes internship with NFL team
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After coaching the Oak Hall Eagles this year, former Florida safety Randy Russell is now embarking on his next chapter with the Philadelphia Eagles.
In a video feature with WCJB TV20, Russell revealed that he has taken an internship with the NFL organization in football operations and scouting.
“Being able to work the different sides of the organization to kind of see which areas I like best, that’s an experience like no other, that’s kind of what I’m excited about the most,” Russell said. “For me to speak this into fruition, it’s something that I’ve prayed for, it’s been amazing.”
Russell has served as the defensive backs coach at Oak Hall High School since March, assisting the Eagles in spring practice. Oak Hall senior tight end Dylan Provencher said Russell has also delivered some motivational speeches to the team about his story.
“The type of person that he is, I love that our kids are around him,” Oak Hall head coach RJ Fuhr said. “He’s just such a good role model, and nowadays, kids just need good role models.”
Russell was diagnosed with a career-ending heart condition in 2018 after enrolling in school. He remained a student at UF while also continuing to work with the football program in various capacities.
Russell was named to the Southeastern Conference Football Community Service Team in 2020.
“I had a dream of playing college football, and for that to be taken away, it felt like a heartbreak, like a death. Something was taken away from me. I don’t think I’ll ever get over it, but it took a while to overcome,” Russell said.
“It’s been a process, a journey like no other. I’m glad that things happened the way they happened.”
In other Florida football news
- New Gators mailbag: Florida’s chances with other elite recruits, more potential flip candidates, depth concerns on the roster and more.
- UF offensive tackle Michael Tarquin was named the GatorMade Man of the Month by Danny Wuerffel on Wednesday.
- Gators offensive lineman Joshua Braun details how he flipped his commitment from Georgia to Florida in the 2020 class.
UF recruiting roundup
- On300 defensive lineman Will Norman, a priority Gators target, is eyeing a return trip to Florida later this month.
- Jerrick Gibson, the No. 1 running back in the 2024 class, tells Gators Online he is planning to visit the Swamp in July.
- Myles Graham, a top-50 linebacker in the 2024 class and UF legacy, has scheduled another visit to Gainesville.
Gators sports roundup
- Two weeks after a scary one-car accident, former Florida center Patric Young is taking the next step in his recovery.
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