The last time Tyler Russ played a football game at Kentucky, he was unable to walk off of the field under his own power. Russ suffered a serious knee injury against the Wildcats last season -serious enough that it was unknown whether he would ever play football again.
But Russ, an outside linebacker, has proved this season that he is back. During Ohio's season opener against Virginia Military Institute, he recovered a fumble and took it to the end zone.
I never doubted coming back
Russ said. When I got hurt I didn't know the magnitude of it until I got the MRI and everything was set about it.
Russ' recovery will come full circle on Saturday, when he will return to Kentucky's Commonwealth Stadium, where he sustained the injury.
It's kind of bittersweet Russ said of his return. I'm just glad we get to play them again. It'll definitely be very nice and rewarding.
The road back to the starting lineup began in rehab for Russ. He was on crutches for the first two months, but said he knew he would be able to play again one month after he lost the crutches.
It was kind of frustrating
not being able to move my leg at all
he said. After that
slowly but surely
it just kept coming and coming.
Russ has been helped by the presence of his older brother, inside linebackers coach Steve Russ.
It's so much fun
Russ said of having his brother around. We hang out a lot on the weekends
in the off-season
or in the summer we'll hang out and go fishing together.
Both Tyler and Steve Russ said the time spent together now means even more because Steve left for college when Tyler was only six years old. The two weren't able to get to really know each other well until they reunited at Ohio.
Steve said that Tyler's success after his injury is a miracle, as well as a testament to how hard he has worked.
I've seen very few miracles in my life
Steve Russ said. I've seen my daughter born
