Cody Russell, a 5’10’’, 160 lb running back/linebacker from Dillon, Mont., has signed a Frontier Conference/NAIA letter of intent to football for the University of Montana Western according to head football coach Rich Ferris.

Russell is the fourth Dillon player to sign with the hometown Bulldogs.

During the 2007 season, he rushed for 589 yards and six touchdowns on 115 carries. He caught 29 passes for 329 yards and two touchdowns. Defensively, he recorded 50 tackles and one quarterback sack. Russell earned all-conference honors as a full back.

“Cody has a fantastic football attitude,” said Ferris. “He is mentally tough, competitive and intelligent. He has big shoes to fill coming from Grant, Mont. Our last player from Grant (Chad Schria) led the nation last season in tackles. Cody is capable of developing into a solid college football player.”

Russell also competes in track where earned all-conferences honors in the long jump, high jump and 4x100 relay, and all-state honors in the 4x100 relay.

He is the son of Robert and Lisa Russell and will graduate from Beaverhead County High School this spring.