Russell Sykes IV, Temple LB: the 2026 season story
Russell Sykes IV is a linebacker for Temple (American Athletic). He ranks 878th of 930 linebackers in Division I by the Player Index, which judges every linebacker on the measures that matter at the position, adjusted for the opponents he faced.
Scouting report
Why it matters. Knowing the one or two things a player does best, and where he is ordinary, says more than any single total. Russell Sykes IV's strongest measure is tackles for loss per game at 0.07, 410th of 459 (the average is 0.40). His weakest is interceptions per game at 0.00, 106th of 459 (the average is 0.03).
Season production
Why it matters. Totals reward staying healthy and getting the ball; per-game numbers show how much he really carries each week. His tackles per game, 2.7, ranks 420th among 459 ranked linebackers.
Against every linebacker
Why it matters. Splitting the measures into how much, how well and how many big plays shows what kind of linebacker he is. Among ranked linebackers he sits, on average, in the 9th percentile for volume and 3rd for impact.
The season, game by game
Why it matters. A season average can hide a player who is great one week and absent the next; game by game shows how dependable he is. Over 8 games, Russell Sykes IV's best came in week 10 at Navy and his quietest in week 3 at Toledo.
Where he does his damage
Why it matters. Where and how a player makes his plays shows how his team uses him and what a defense has to take away.
National and conference
Why it matters. A national rank shows how a player stacks up beyond his own league, where the competition can be very different. Russell Sykes IV is 453rd of 459 FBS linebackers and 46th of 48 in the American Athletic. Next up nationally is Winston Berglund of Purdue, 0.00 ahead on the index.
Career
Why it matters. Past seasons show whether this year is a breakout, a steady climb or a step back. His best season by the Player Index was 2025 at Temple, 744th of 1,013 linebackers.
Linebackers like him
Why it matters. Comparing a player with his closest statistical matches puts his season in context beyond the rankings. His closest match this season is Nio Espinoza of Illinois State.
