Bolden and Russell Receive Invite to Detroit Lions Mini-Camp

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- Despite not hearing their names called in the National Football League's Draft, a pair of Eastern Michigan University football players earned professional football opportunities with invitations to Detroit Lions rookie mini-camp. Tight end Tyreese Russell (Chicago, Ill.-Walther Lutheran) and quarterback Rob Bolden (Orchard Lake, Mich.-Orchard Lake St. Mary's-Penn State-Louisiana State) were each contacted following the draft and invited to come to the team's practice facilities next week in Allen Park, Mich.

Bolden appeared in six games last season, with three starts, after transferring from LSU. He threw for 399 yards (41-of-95) with four touchdowns and five interceptions, and ran the ball 57 times for 177 yards.

Throughout his senior season, Russell proved why he was named to the John Mackey Award Midseason Watch List, especially over the last half of the year. The Chicago, Ill. native led the team in receiving with 39 catches for 523 yards, more than double the amount of yardage of his nearest teammate. The next closest Eagle in the receiving category was Dustin Creel, who had 227 yards on 23 receptions. Russell was the Green and White's leading receiver in four of the last six games of his career. He hauled in 24 catches for 372 yards during the six-game stretch, including a career-best 113-yard game against Ball State, Nov. 22, where he made a spectacular one-handed catch to land a spot on ESPN SportsCenter's Top 10 Plays.

The Chicago, Ill. native finished his career with 101 catches for 1,417 yards and 11 touchdowns. Russell's 11 touchdown receptions is tied for sixth-most in EMU history while his receiving yardage total ranks 10th.

Continue to follow EMUEagles.com for additional free agent signings as they happen.

Eastern Michigan Athletics

Bolden and Russell Receive Invite to Detroit Lions Mini-Camp

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Rob Bolden

Tyreese Russell

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