By Jeff Shearer
AuburnTigers.com
ATLANTA - Needing only two more classes to complete his Auburn University degree in health services administration, Dontavius Russell decided the NFL could wait.
"The narrative of college football is always you're a student-athlete first," Russell said. "For me, I didn't want that to change, given the success I have had while playing football. I wanted to make sure I was able to complete my degree before moving forward to a new chapter of my life."
Russell announced his decision to return in 2018 for his senior season on Christmas night, a most welcome gift for Auburn defensive coordinator Kevin Steele.