The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Hall of Honor
- Induction:
- 2025
- Class:
- 2014
A first-team All-American and one of the most prolific power hitters in Texas Baseball history, Kyle Russell starred for the Longhorns from 2006–08 while helping Texas win back-to-back Big 12 Championships in 2006 and 2007. Russell was named the 2007 Big 12 Player of the Year and earned first-team All-Big 12 distinction, followed by honorable mention All-Big 12 recognition in 2008. A two-time team MVP, the outfielder was a finalist for the Dick Howser Trophy, the Golden Spikes Award and the Wallace Award in 2007. Russell still holds the Texas career record for home runs (57) and ranks among the top 10 in several major statistical categories, including second in career slugging percentage (.683), fourth in extra-base hits (97), sixth in total bases (402), ninth in RBI (169) and seventh in hit by pitches (25). The Tomball, Texas, native recorded two of the top five single-season home run totals in program history, notching 28 blasts in 2007— a mark that stood for 15 years — and 19 round-trippers in 2008. His 180 total bases in 2007 also rank fifth all-time at Texas. A member of Baseball America’s All-2000s Team, Russell was selected in the fourth round of the 2007 MLB Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals but opted to return for his junior season. He was later selected in the third round of the 2008 MLB Draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Russell spent six seasons in professional baseball, playing primarily in the Dodgers' system before concluding his career with the Atlanta Braves organization in 2013. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Youth and Community Studies from Texas in Fall 2014. Russell is currently a medical device sales representative for Mitek Sports Medicine and resides in Houston. He and his wife, Anna, have three children, Ripken, Remi and Riggs.
