Notre Dame in NFL: Former Irish defensive back signs with Giants

Former Notre Dame defensive back KeiVarae Russell has a new NFL home. See how he could be helping out the New York Giants.

The New York Giants secondary is now home for a pair of former Notre Dame defensive backs 2019 draft pick Julian Love will now be joined by another Fighting Irish product in KeiVarae Russell as the two agreed to a deal on Saturday.

Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News was first with the news, adding that the Giants also let go of corner Christian Angulo and running back Javon Leake.  Leonard suggests that Russell’s biggest contribution to the Giants will likely come on special teams.

Russell has played in 20 games in his NFL career, all of which came for the Cincinnati Bengals between 2016 and 2018.  In that time he intercepted one pass and made 22 total tackles.

Russell, who started every game of his freshman season in 2012, played 36 games for Notre Dame between 2012-15, making 165 tackles and five interceptions in his Fighting Irish career.  He missed the 2014 season due to an academic suspension.

Russell was originally a third round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs in 2016 but never played a regular season down for them.