Russell Sykes

2025 (Redshirt Freshman, Temple): Added depth at defensive tackle ... recorded a career-high 3 tackles and first career sack at Charlotte ... recovered first career fumble at Tulsa ... lettered. 2024 (Freshman): Part of the 2024 recruiting class ... made his collegiate debut at East Carolina... made first career tackle at Tulane ... earned defensive scout team player of the week (East Carolina, Florida Atlantic) ... redshirted. High School: Was a four-year letterwinner as a defensive tackle for Rolesville (N.C.) High under head coach Ranier Rackley … as senior, led his team to a 12-2 record and the fourth round of the NCHSAA playoffs … racked up 75 tackles, 12.0 TFLs, and 10.0 sacks and earned first-team all-conference … played in the East-West All-Star Game … collected 86 tackles, 14.0 TFLs, and 7.0 sacks as a junior … … was the defensive player of the year as a sophomore … also lettered in basketball. Personal: Born Russell McKinley Sykes IV in Raleigh, N.C. ... brother, Jaylin Jeffries, played football at Old Dominion ... sister, Nadia Sykes, plays softball at N.C. State ... list of favorites include: Amazing Spiderman (movie), Goosebumps (book), Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks (pro athlete and team) ... business major.