Tyrell Russell, Toledo CB: the 2026 season story
Tyrell Russell is a freshman defensive back for Toledo (Mid-American). He ranks 434th of 1,841 defensive backs in Division I by the Player Index, which judges every defensive back on the measures that matter at the position, adjusted for the opponents he faced.
Scouting report
Why it matters. Every measure is set against every ranked defensive back, so a strength here is a strength against the whole position, not just his own team. Tyrell Russell's strongest measure is passes defended per game at 0.73, 66th of 921 (the average is 0.31). His weakest is interceptions per game at 0.00, 397th of 921 (the average is 0.08).
Season production
Why it matters. Volume is the first sign of how much a coaching staff trusts a player. His tackles per game, 1.6, ranks 907th among 921 ranked defensive backs.
Against every defensive back
Why it matters. Volume, efficiency and impact plays can tell different stories: a player can be busy without being effective, or rarely used but dangerous every time. Among ranked defensive backs he sits, on average, in the 2nd percentile for volume, 60th for efficiency and 47th for impact.
The season, game by game
Why it matters. Consistency matters to a team: one huge game and five quiet ones is a different season from six solid ones. Over 8 games, Tyrell Russell's best came in week 7 at Eastern Michigan and his quietest in week 5 at Ball State.
Where he does his damage
Why it matters. The shape of a player's production, not just its size, is what opponents scout.
National and conference
Why it matters. The Player Index puts every defensive back on one scale, adjusted for the defenses or offenses he faced, so a rank here is comparable across conferences. Tyrell Russell is 311th of 921 FBS defensive backs and 19th of 86 in the Mid-American. Next up nationally is CJ Coombes of North Texas, 0.00 ahead on the index.
Defensive backs like him
Why it matters. Players with similar profiles tend to be used the same way, which makes them a quick way to picture his game. His closest match this season is Josh Grant of South Dakota.
