YORKTON - Hayden Russell has taken a scholarship offer to play football at the University of Saskatchewan.
“It was a hard decision that’s for sure,” the Yorkton Regional High School defensive lineman told Yorkton This Week.
“A couple of schools talked to me.”
In the end though it came down to wanting to stay in Saskatchewan because Russell said in playing elsewhere in the past, he likes the atmosphere here best.
So then it came down to a choice between the U of S and Regina, with the Huskies in Saskatoon winning out based on their football and agronomy programs.
Going into year one with the Huskies in 2024 Russell said it will be difficult to earn a starting spot as a freshman, but that is the goal.
“I’m going to try my hardest to get to play,” he said.
But if he doesn’t then he’ll focus on moving up the ladder, just like when he was young and had “work my way up to be a starter.”
As a player Russell said he believes his strengths lie in “paying attention and being coach-able and trying my hardest.”
Down the road Russell said he has his goal set on playing pro football.
“That’s the goal to play some CFL and then come back to the family farm,” he said.
