Temple University Athletics
Football’s Chapelle Russell Drafted by the Buccaneers
4.25.20 | Football
PHILADELPHIA – The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Temple linebacker Chapelle Russell (Lakewood, N.J.) in the seventh round of the 2020 National Football League Draft on Saturday afternoon. He was the 241st overall selection in the 2020 NFL Draft, the sixth selection for the Buccaneers and the fourth for Temple. Center Matt Hennessy was selected by Atlanta in the third round, cornerback Harrison Hand was a fifth round choice of Minnesota, and linebacker Shaun Bradley was taken by Philadelphia in the sixth round.
This is the first time in school history that four players were drafted from Temple. Temple had three players in a single draft eight time prior. Temple has had multiple players drafted for the fifth straight year – the only school outside the Power 5 to do that.
This is the fourth time Temple had two players from the same position drafted into the NFL. The most recent was 2016 (DLs Jacob Martin and Jullian Taylor) as well as 1986 (OLs John Rienstra, Lloyd Yancey) and 1955 (RBs Joe Stout, Tex Robinson).
"Chapelle was the second in charge for our team this year with Shaun [Bradley]," said Temple head coach Rod Carey. "Another great leader. Sound, sound football player that just continuously did his job. I know that the Buccaneers will enjoy that as much as we enjoyed it."
Russell finished his career at Temple playing in 45 games over a four-year career. Russell earned a single-digit jersey in the summer going into the 2018 season. He returned to full strength in 2018 following a second injury and second surgery. Russell fully recovered after his injuries and had a stellar final two seasons. In his four seasons, he totaled 237 tackles, 19.5 TFLs, three sacks, nine PBUs, three forced fumbles, and six fumble recoveries. Russell led the country in fumble recoveries in 2018 with five and has been a tackling machine every year. Russell was a part of the trio of linebackers, along with Shaun Bradley and Sam Franklin, who were regarded as the best and toughest in the conference. Russell displayed his talents for NFL scouts throughout his final season and at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl following his senior season.
Temple has now seen at least one Owls' player drafted into the NFL in five straight seasons (2016-2020) tying the second longest streak in school history. The longest streak is 11 season from 1979-90, and the other time Temple had players in the NFL Draft in five consecutive seasons was 1942-46. Temple has now had at least one player drafted in 10 straight decades dating back to the 1930s (the NFL Draft started in 1935). The 2010s tied the 1980s for most players drafted with 16.
Russell is the 78th Temple football player to be drafted into the NFL. He joins Robby Anderson (Carolina), Ryquell Armstead (Jacksonville), Bradley, Sean Chandler (New York Giants), Dion Dawkins (Buffalo), Michael Dogbe (Arizona), Sharif Finch (Cincinnati), Nate Hairston (New York Jets), Hand, Hennessy, Matt Ioannidis (Washington), Keith Kirkwood (Carolina), Jacob Martin (Houston), Tyler Matakevich (Buffalo), Brandon McManus (Denver), Chris Myarick (Miami), Haason Reddick (Arizona), Jullian Taylor (San Francisco), Colin Thompson (Carolina), Phillip Walker (Carolina), Tahir Whitehead (Carolina), Rock Ya-Sin (Indianapolis), and Tavon Young (Baltimore) as former Owls currently active in the NFL.
The last 12 players who were drafted from Temple – dating back to Tahir Whitehead as the 138th selection in 2012 – remain active in the NFL. Entering the 2020 Draft, only eight schools – Michigan (19), Iowa (17), Wisconsin (17), Ohio State (16), Texas A&M (16), Clemson (15), Georgia (14), and Penn State (14) have a larger streak. Only two schools have a longer streak – ECU (2010) and Tulsa (2011) - but their number of players are, 4 and 1, respectively.
This is the first time in school history that four players were drafted from Temple. Temple had three players in a single draft eight time prior. Temple has had multiple players drafted for the fifth straight year – the only school outside the Power 5 to do that.
This is the fourth time Temple had two players from the same position drafted into the NFL. The most recent was 2016 (DLs Jacob Martin and Jullian Taylor) as well as 1986 (OLs John Rienstra, Lloyd Yancey) and 1955 (RBs Joe Stout, Tex Robinson).
"Chapelle was the second in charge for our team this year with Shaun [Bradley]," said Temple head coach Rod Carey. "Another great leader. Sound, sound football player that just continuously did his job. I know that the Buccaneers will enjoy that as much as we enjoyed it."
Russell finished his career at Temple playing in 45 games over a four-year career. Russell earned a single-digit jersey in the summer going into the 2018 season. He returned to full strength in 2018 following a second injury and second surgery. Russell fully recovered after his injuries and had a stellar final two seasons. In his four seasons, he totaled 237 tackles, 19.5 TFLs, three sacks, nine PBUs, three forced fumbles, and six fumble recoveries. Russell led the country in fumble recoveries in 2018 with five and has been a tackling machine every year. Russell was a part of the trio of linebackers, along with Shaun Bradley and Sam Franklin, who were regarded as the best and toughest in the conference. Russell displayed his talents for NFL scouts throughout his final season and at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl following his senior season.
Temple has now seen at least one Owls' player drafted into the NFL in five straight seasons (2016-2020) tying the second longest streak in school history. The longest streak is 11 season from 1979-90, and the other time Temple had players in the NFL Draft in five consecutive seasons was 1942-46. Temple has now had at least one player drafted in 10 straight decades dating back to the 1930s (the NFL Draft started in 1935). The 2010s tied the 1980s for most players drafted with 16.
Russell is the 78th Temple football player to be drafted into the NFL. He joins Robby Anderson (Carolina), Ryquell Armstead (Jacksonville), Bradley, Sean Chandler (New York Giants), Dion Dawkins (Buffalo), Michael Dogbe (Arizona), Sharif Finch (Cincinnati), Nate Hairston (New York Jets), Hand, Hennessy, Matt Ioannidis (Washington), Keith Kirkwood (Carolina), Jacob Martin (Houston), Tyler Matakevich (Buffalo), Brandon McManus (Denver), Chris Myarick (Miami), Haason Reddick (Arizona), Jullian Taylor (San Francisco), Colin Thompson (Carolina), Phillip Walker (Carolina), Tahir Whitehead (Carolina), Rock Ya-Sin (Indianapolis), and Tavon Young (Baltimore) as former Owls currently active in the NFL.
The last 12 players who were drafted from Temple – dating back to Tahir Whitehead as the 138th selection in 2012 – remain active in the NFL. Entering the 2020 Draft, only eight schools – Michigan (19), Iowa (17), Wisconsin (17), Ohio State (16), Texas A&M (16), Clemson (15), Georgia (14), and Penn State (14) have a larger streak. Only two schools have a longer streak – ECU (2010) and Tulsa (2011) - but their number of players are, 4 and 1, respectively.
Players Mentioned
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