JACKSONVILLE – The dream came true for Dontavius Russell Thursday.
"It feels great," Russell said.
Now, the next step begins.
"I'm ready to get to the real part of it now," said Russell, a defensive tackle and the Jaguars' seventh-round selection in the 2019 NFL Draft – the No. 235 selection overall.
"It's something I've waited for since I was a child, just to be able to do it feels amazing," Russell added. "It makes it feel like everything paid off. A lot of people don't get the opportunity to sign papers for the NFL, so it feels good."
Russell (6-feet-3, 320 pounds), a four-year starter from 2015-18 at Auburn, started 49 of 52 games in college and recorded 154 career tackles. In 2018, he started every game and earned second-team All-SEC honors from Lindy's and AL.com after recording 36 tackles and 1.5 sacks.
Russell said his focus now is to contribute however he can to one of the NFL's best defenses.
"That's what I tried to do in college," Russell said. "In every interview I ever did I always said I wanted to contribute. Knowing they have always had a reputation of being a good defense, it makes me feel good to be able to add to it."
Russell's signing leaves the Jaguars with six unsigned draft selections: edge defender Josh Allen (Round 1, No. 7 overall), right tackle Jawaan Taylor (Round 2, No. 35 overall), tight end Josh Oliver (Round 3, No. 69 overall), linebacker Quincy Williams (Round 4, No. 98 overall), running back Ryquell Armstead (Round 5, No. 140 overall) and quarterback Gardner Minshew (Round 6, No. 178 overall).
The Jacksonville Jaguars have drfated Auburn DL Dontavius Russell in the seventh round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
Georgia quarterback Greyson Lambert (11) drags Auburn defensive lineman Dontavius Russell (95) as he carries the ball during the second half of an NCAA football game, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015, in Auburn, Ala. Georgia won 20-13. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Auburn defensive lineman Dontavius Russell runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Sunday, March 3, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Auburn defensive lineman Dontavius Russell participates in a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Dontavius Russell (95). Auburn vs Texas A&M football game on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016 in Auburn, Ala. Dakota Sumpter/Auburn Athletics
Auburn defensive lineman Dontavius Russell runs the 40-yard dash during the NFL football scouting combine on Sunday, March 3, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Dontavius Russell Auburn at Mississippi State football on Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018 in Starkville, Miss. Wade Rackley/Auburn Athletics
Auburn defensive lineman Dontavius Russell runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 3, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Auburn defensive lineman Dontavius Russell runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 3, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Auburn defensive lineman Dontavius Russell (95) hangs his head as he leaves the sideline following in their NCAA college football game against Mississippi State in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Oct 11, 2014. No.3 Mississippi State beat No. 2 Auburn 38-23. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Auburn defensive lineman Dontavius Russell (95) recovers a fumble from LSU running back Leonard Fournette (7) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Auburn defensive lineman Dontavius Russell (95) stops Alabama State running back Tallesin Farmer (32) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Auburn defensive lineman Dontavius Russell (95) celebrates tackling Georgia quarterback Jake Fromm during the first half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Arkansas quarterback Cole Kelley gets hit by Auburn defender Dontavius Russell during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Fayetteville, Ark., Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Auburn defensive lineman Dontavius Russell celebrates a tackle against Georgia during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Auburn defensive lineman Dontavius Russell (95) and Auburn defensive lineman Derrick Brown (5) run onto the field before an NCAA college football game against Southern Miss, Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
