Randy Russell joined the Florida Gators as a member of the 2018 recruiting class and expectations were significant for the four-star defensive back from Miami Carol City. However, the soon-to-be college freshman will not be suiting up for the Gators at the college level, as the program announced that its "medical staff discovered an abnormality in Randy Russell's cardiac workup" and, as a result, he will not be able to play football.
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Randy Russell’s Career Ends Following Pre-Participation Physical pic.twitter.com/OT0g91OYcQ
— Florida Gators Football (@GatorsFB) January 11, 2018
As noted above, head coach Dan Mullen labeled the finding as potentially "life-saving" for the young man but, on the heels of the news breaking, Russell himself addressed the findings in a mature and introspective fashion.
— RJ (@randy_knows) January 11, 2018
With that in mind, Russell plans to remain in school at Florida, though his scholarship will not be counting toward the football program's maximum.
Russell will remain in school and on scholarship as a medical hardship and will not count against UF's scholarship total.
— Robbie Andreu (@RobbieAndreu) January 11, 2018
It goes without saying that thoughts and prayers are with Russell and his family during this time of transition. Obviously, it is a significant blow to a young man with lofty football aspirations that he will not be able to play the sport at this level. Still, it is unquestionably a positive that his condition was unearthed before he took the field and, hopefully, Russell will go on to big things in another arena.
