BEFORE PURDUE
• Redshirted during his lone year at the University of Oklahoma
• Played his first two seasons at Seminole State College in Seminole, Oklahoma
• Enjoyed a breakout season in 2023, batting .391/.531/.624 with 15 doubles, 46 RBI and more walks than strikeouts in 43 games
• First Team All-Region honoree while helping his team to the 2023 Regional title
• Batted .293/.468/.543 with seven home runs and 17 RBI in 92 at-bats in 2022
• Recognized as the Catcher of the Tournament while leading his Hays Larks summer ball team to the 2024 National Baseball Congress World Series title
• Caught all 52 innings at the NBC World Series as Hays went 6-0, working with a pitching staff that posted 2.42 ERA and racked up 54 strikeouts vs. 46 hits; also reached base safely in 10 plate appearances
• Maintained a 4.0 GPA at both Seminole State and Oklahoma
HIGH SCHOOL
• Lettered for coach Ryan Whitley at Cal Albert High School on the Southeast Side of the Oklahoma City area
• 2021 Oklahoma Class 5A Player of the Year and First Team All-State catcher while leading CAHS to a state title
• Also selected as a starter on the All-City and Large School All-State teams as a senior
• MVP of the 2021 Choctaw Tournament
• OK State Games selection as a junior
• Sophomore Sunbelt honoree each of his underclassman years
• Also helped CAHS reach the state title game in 2019
• Valedictorian of his class was part of the 4.0 club and earned 15 hours of college credit at a 4.0 level
• National Honor Society
• Also played travel ball for MVP Baseball
PERSONAL
• Major: Communication
• Full name is Houston Matthew Russell
• Born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
• Parents are Aaron and Amy Russell
• Family also includes younger siblings Hutch and Hope
• Uncle Jason Davis played baseball at the United States Air Force Academy
Purdue Personal Preferences
Favorite Pro Team: New York Yankees
Traditionally Roots Against: Boston Red Sox
Favorite Athlete: Derek Jeter
Had the Biggest Impact on Your Athletic Career: Aaron, Dad
Favorite Marquee Event: World Series
Favorite Pro Stadium: Yankee Stadium
Favorite Field He's Played at (Besides Alexander): Globe Life Field
Toughest Pitcher for Him to Face Among Teammates: Easton Storey
Current MLB Pitcher He'd Like to Face: Clayton Kershaw
Funniest Teammate: Albert Choi
Current Teammate with the Best Baseball Instincts: Brandon Anderson
Purdue Staff Member You Enjoy Strongest Connection With: Josh Newman
In Your Favorite Playlist: Zach Bryan
Would Love to See Him Play Purdue: Noah Kahan
Favorite Multi-Media App: Netflix
Favorite Super-Hero Film: Avengers Endgame
Show He Can’t Stop Watching: Landman
Favorite Video Game: NCAA Football 25
Favorite Month: July
Favorite Holiday: Christmas
Pick One – Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner: Dinner
Favorite Meals: Seafood or Steak
Favorite Dessert: Ice Cream
Favorite Outdoor Activity: Golf
Another Sport He Enjoys Playing: Golf
Favorite Purdue Building: Mollenkopf Athletic Center
Favorite Big City: Dallas
Unique Travel Locale: Turks and Caicos
Country He’d Like to Visit: Sweden
Pick One for a Vacation – Beach, Mountains or Road Trip: Beaches
Favorite Thing About Alexander Field: The Dirt
Top Sports Moment Prior to Purdue: Making Super Regionals while in JUCO
Furry Friend: Honey, Mini Golden Doodle
• Redshirted during his lone year at the University of Oklahoma
• Played his first two seasons at Seminole State College in Seminole, Oklahoma
• Enjoyed a breakout season in 2023, batting .391/.531/.624 with 15 doubles, 46 RBI and more walks than strikeouts in 43 games
• First Team All-Region honoree while helping his team to the 2023 Regional title
• Batted .293/.468/.543 with seven home runs and 17 RBI in 92 at-bats in 2022
• Recognized as the Catcher of the Tournament while leading his Hays Larks summer ball team to the 2024 National Baseball Congress World Series title
• Caught all 52 innings at the NBC World Series as Hays went 6-0, working with a pitching staff that posted 2.42 ERA and racked up 54 strikeouts vs. 46 hits; also reached base safely in 10 plate appearances
• Maintained a 4.0 GPA at both Seminole State and Oklahoma
HIGH SCHOOL
• Lettered for coach Ryan Whitley at Cal Albert High School on the Southeast Side of the Oklahoma City area
• 2021 Oklahoma Class 5A Player of the Year and First Team All-State catcher while leading CAHS to a state title
• Also selected as a starter on the All-City and Large School All-State teams as a senior
• MVP of the 2021 Choctaw Tournament
• OK State Games selection as a junior
• Sophomore Sunbelt honoree each of his underclassman years
• Also helped CAHS reach the state title game in 2019
• Valedictorian of his class was part of the 4.0 club and earned 15 hours of college credit at a 4.0 level
• National Honor Society
• Also played travel ball for MVP Baseball
PERSONAL
• Major: Communication
• Full name is Houston Matthew Russell
• Born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
• Parents are Aaron and Amy Russell
• Family also includes younger siblings Hutch and Hope
• Uncle Jason Davis played baseball at the United States Air Force Academy
Purdue Personal Preferences
Favorite Pro Team: New York Yankees
Traditionally Roots Against: Boston Red Sox
Favorite Athlete: Derek Jeter
Had the Biggest Impact on Your Athletic Career: Aaron, Dad
Favorite Marquee Event: World Series
Favorite Pro Stadium: Yankee Stadium
Favorite Field He's Played at (Besides Alexander): Globe Life Field
Toughest Pitcher for Him to Face Among Teammates: Easton Storey
Current MLB Pitcher He'd Like to Face: Clayton Kershaw
Funniest Teammate: Albert Choi
Current Teammate with the Best Baseball Instincts: Brandon Anderson
Purdue Staff Member You Enjoy Strongest Connection With: Josh Newman
In Your Favorite Playlist: Zach Bryan
Would Love to See Him Play Purdue: Noah Kahan
Favorite Multi-Media App: Netflix
Favorite Super-Hero Film: Avengers Endgame
Show He Can’t Stop Watching: Landman
Favorite Video Game: NCAA Football 25
Favorite Month: July
Favorite Holiday: Christmas
Pick One – Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner: Dinner
Favorite Meals: Seafood or Steak
Favorite Dessert: Ice Cream
Favorite Outdoor Activity: Golf
Another Sport He Enjoys Playing: Golf
Favorite Purdue Building: Mollenkopf Athletic Center
Favorite Big City: Dallas
Unique Travel Locale: Turks and Caicos
Country He’d Like to Visit: Sweden
Pick One for a Vacation – Beach, Mountains or Road Trip: Beaches
Favorite Thing About Alexander Field: The Dirt
Top Sports Moment Prior to Purdue: Making Super Regionals while in JUCO
Furry Friend: Honey, Mini Golden Doodle