Stories Of Success: De’Monte Russell
February 17, 2023 | Football, Joel Coleman
Bulldog defensive lineman focused on reaching even greater heights.
(Throughout Black History Month, Mississippi State is celebrating its current Black student-athletes, coaches and administrators by telling several of their personal stories. Today, HailState.com shines the spotlight on MSU football's De'Monte Russell.)
STARKVILLE – It was last fall and De'Monte Russell sat at a table with a microphone in his face.
The Mississippi State defensive end was recording a voiceover for a video MSU would use to reveal uniforms honoring the school's first Black football student-athletes, Frank Dowsing, Jr., and Robert Bell.
Russell nailed it. He emphasized all the right parts. It was strong. It was impactful. The communications major showed he's been in a very fitting field of study.
Folks heard Russell's message loud and clear. If he has it his way, when the 2023 football season kicks off later this year, Russell's performance on the gridiron will be just as impressive.
"My plan is to ball out this coming season," Russell said.
All Russell has to do to accomplish his mission is keep right on climbing the same ladder he's been on. He's continually progressed since arriving in Starkville ahead of the 2019 season, laying the foundation for what he hopes to be a breakout campaign in a few months.
Russell got his feet wet playing in four games in 2019 and taking a redshirt year. After missing the entirety of the 2020 season due to injury, Russell responded by notching 13 tackles over 11 contests in 2021. This past year, Russell played in all 13 games and recorded 16 tackles, including two for loss. He capped his season and perhaps gave a sign of things to come with a four-stop performance in the ReliaQuest Bowl, featuring his first career sack.
Russell certainly appears to be on the rise at Mississippi State, but how did he even get to Starkville to begin with? The journey began when Russell was around nine years old.
"I was actually always a basketball kid growing up," Russell said. "I'd play football outside, but I really didn't get into it because I was playing basketball a lot. Then one day, I just saw this organization and it was pee-wee football. I didn't know I could be a part of it. So, one day, my mom's friend saw us going into a restaurant, and he was like, 'Hey, bring your kids over.' That was the first team I ever played for – the South Jackson Vikings. That's when I first fell in love with football."
Time rolled on and Russell continued to enjoy the game. But for as much as he liked it, he still wasn't certain it was what he wanted to do beyond high school.
Russell considered heading into the military given several family ties. However, once he became a sophomore for the Provine High School football team in Jackson, Mississippi, Russell's ultimate goal was solidified.
"I was like, 'Oh, yeah. This is it,'" Russell said.
Russell's performance was proof of his passion. He had a strong sophomore year at Provine, followed up by incredible seasons as a junior and senior. Over Russell's last two years at Provine, he racked up a combined 110 tackles, 30 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks.
He blew up as a recruit. He was rated as a four-star prospect, was a Top-10 recruit from the state of Mississippi and was labeled as the eighth-best weak-side defensive end in the country by 247Sports.
The scholarship offers poured in for Russell. Each offer fueled him.
"That's when I fell in love with football even more," Russell said.
Eventually, one school rose to the top of the pack. Mississippi State captured Russell's attention and the rest is history.
"It wasn't too far from home," Russell said. "My mom fell in love with the school. I fell in love with the family environment. Then I connected with Jeffery Simmons and Montez Sweat as I came to visit, as well as some recruits I came in with like Charles Cross and Nathan Pickering. We just all bonded."
A family feel brought Russell to Starkville. Now, Russell has actual family along for the ride with him.
His brother, Donterry, just wrapped up his true freshman season as a defensive lineman at MSU. De'Monte is three years older than Donterry. De'Monte says having his little brother around has been great. Like iron sharpening iron, they bring the best out of each other.
"He brings more leadership out of me than I ever showed when I first got here," De'Monte said. "Sometimes he's a little hardheaded and thinks he might not need any advice, but if I see something wrong – or if he sees something wrong in me – we'll tell each other and I'll take the coaching from him."
Even now that he's become the veteran, De'Monte is clear that he still doesn't know everything. What he does know is that his biggest key to becoming a Bulldog on an upward trajectory has been his hard work. That's the message he wants to pass on to others wanting to one day be in his shoes.
"Keep working," De'Monte said. "You never know who's looking and watching, and when your opportunity comes, you have to be prepared for it."
Opportunity is certainly knocking at De'Monte's door over the upcoming months. He has visions of adding to the reputation of D-line U and becoming another Bulldog in the NFL. He continues to do all within his power to achieve that dream.
Wherever life takes him, De'Monte says Mississippi State will forever be a treasured stop on his journey.
"Not just this place, but the friendship and connection and the brotherhood [that's here]," De'Monte said.
For now though, there are still days in Maroon and White left. So, it's time for Russell to make a little more noise.
"I want to finish what I've started," De'Monte said.
