Parliament Profile: Opportunity Knocked, Kai Russell Answered

By: Will Barfield KENNESAW, Ga. — In 2021, as a senior at Olympic High School in Charlotte, North Carolina, Kai Russell had multiple Division I and FCS offers to play college football. Before he could commit, the NCAA gave active players an extra year of eligibility, which took away his roster spot at the schools that offered him. Russell had to begin his college career at Division II Wingate University instead. He appeared in 33 games across four seasons for Wingate, compiling 91 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, and 12 sacks. After the 2025 season, with one year of eligibility…