Dec. 26, 2017
By Greg Ostendorf
AuburnTigers.com
AUBURN, Ala. -- Defensive tackle Dontavius Russell gave Auburn fans an additional Christmas present Monday when he announced via Twitter that he would be returning for his senior year.
Im grateful for everything the Auburn family has done for me and happy to be apart of it for one more year🐅 #WDE pic.twitter.com/Izd2YgW9bB
-- Dontavius Russell (@russ_dont95) December 26, 2017
As a junior, Russell started all 13 games and finished with 41 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, five quarterback hurries and one forced fumble. The Carrollton, Ga., native has also been one of the leaders this season for an Auburn defense that ranks No. 9 nationally in scoring defense, allowing just 17.3 points per game.
"Dontavius has been `Mr. Consistency' the past two years," Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said prior to the SEC championship game. "He's played really well over a long period of time."
Russell will anchor what should be one of the more talented defensives lines in the SEC next year with players like Derrick Brown, Marlon Davidson, Nick Coe, Andrew Williams and Big Kat Bryant also returning.
Russell and the rest of his teammates will report to Atlanta on Tuesday where they will return to practice for the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl beginning Wednesday.
Greg Ostendorf is a Senior Writer for AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: Follow @greg_ostendorf