Northwestern’s Calvin Russell Jr. is the Dade 3A-1A Offensive Player of the Year
Only about two months ago, Calvin Russell was on the field for Northwestern in the Class 3A championship, closing out an electrifying career with eight catches for 136 yards and a rushing touchdown, despite the Bulls’ loss to Jacksonville Raines.
A few weeks ago, Russell suited up for the first time for Syracuse—in men’s basketball.
The whirlwind winter helps explain why Russell is the Miami Herald’s Miami-Dade County Offensive Player of the Year for Classes 3A-1A. In an era of specialization, Russell thrives as a two-sport star and his basketball prowess benefits him on the football field, where Russell runs, leaps and wins jump balls like an Atlantic Coast Conference basketball star.
A four-star wide receiver in the 247Sports composite rankings for the Class of 2026, Russell also reeled in scholarship offers in basketball from a number of high-profile programs, but ultimately chose the Orange because Syracuse coach Fran Brown encouraged his prized receiver recruit to chase his two-sport dreams.
In Miami, Russell was a fixture on all-county teams in both football and boys’ basketball, but managed to especially stand out on the gridiron, where his 6-foot-5, 195-pound frame vexed opposing defenses, first as a quarterback and ultimately as a full-time wideout during his final two seasons with the Bulls.
As a junior, Russell helped Northwestern win its first state championship since 2019 as part of a loaded, deep group of wide receivers. Russell scored a pair of touchdowns in the Bulls’ rout of Raines in the 2024 title game.
As a senior, Russell again helped Northwestern reach the state title game—despite losing former coach Teddy Bridgewater to a season-long suspension in the preseason—and put together his best all-around season yet. The senior caught 47 passes for 742 yards and eight touchdowns, added two rushing touchdowns, and also threw for 368 yards and four touchdowns. Russell was a finalist for the Nat Moore Trophy, given annually to the best senior in South Florida.