Before USMMA: Russell participated in four seasons of varsity wrestling, football, and track at Morse High School.  He served as a captain of both the wrestling and football teams.  Russell was a two-time state champion as well as a one-time state runner-up as well as earning all-state, all-academic, and All-New England accolades.  He was also an all-conference performer as a linebacker.  Russell was a member of two state championship wrestling teams and captured three regional titles from 2008-2010.