By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post
Growing up, Ellis senior Logan Russell had always dreamed of playing college football.
It wasn't until his sophomore season that dream started to look like a reality, when, just by chance, he became the Railroaders' starting punter and kicker and one of the best specialists in the state.
A little more than two years later, Russell officially signed his letter of intent to play football at Fort Hays State University, earlier this month.
For Russell, the chance to play at Fort Hays State is a dream come true.
“Just being 15 minutes away from a place where I get to play college football and going to watch since I was a little kid, it just has always been my dream,” Russell said.
“Three of the older Fort Hays football players were like brothers to me. They were Connor Shedeed, Doyin Jibowu and Nathan Shepherd. Those three were like my older brothers, and they just helped me get through a lot.”
Russell said his parents had always told him he had a strong leg, but it wasn’t until his sophomore year, while having fun in practice, that the coaches noticed.
“My parents always told me that I had a really strong arm and a strong leg, and I never really took that for granted,” Russell said.
“Once that junior year hit, I got MCL and first-team all-state in 1A football (honors). That really proved to me that I could do something with the ability that God has given me. My parents have always pushed me to do that.”
He took over the punting duties early in his sophomore season and averaged almost 38 yards per punt in his three years serving as the varsity punter with 14 punts inside the opponents' 20-yard line.
He finished as a three-time all-Mid-Continent League punter and a two-time all-state selection.
Russell said Fort Hays State coach Layton Hickel reached out first, expressing the Tigers' interest in signing him. He said he was excited to get that phone call.
"I was sitting in our truck and automatically turned off the phone and just prayed. I was like, 'Thank you, Lord, for giving me this opportunity. I know I've been asking so much recently, but I said thank you, Lord, for giving me this opportunity, and I won't let you down," Russell said.
He also said he left his visit with the coaching staff feeling like he had an opportunity to contribute.
"After talking with the coaches, they were like, Hey, we have a great opportunity for you to come here. We need some young guys to come in and fill some roles. And I was like, I can be that guy. So I'm really excited," Russell said.
Russell said he also wants to help others and be a part of a support system he experienced with the older Fort Hays State players growing up.
"Whenever I go to Hays, I want to be like that for other people if I can," Russell said. "Also, knowing that I have friends, we're also going to play sports in Hays, so I'm not alone. I can always ask for help from anyone around here."
Russell plans on majoring in pre-physical therapy at Fort Hays State.
"I really like math and science. Those are my two favorite subjects, and physical therapy has always intrigued me," Russell said. I've always wanted to help people with a passion, and physical therapy is the opportunity for me to do that."