High School

5-Star WR Calvin “GUMP” Russell III Commits to Syracuse: Miami Northwestern Star Chooses Orange

Miami Northwestern two-sport standout and 2026 five-star wide receiver Calvin “GUMP” Russell III commits to Syracuse

Gary Adornato

Miami Northwestern's Calvin "GUMP" Russell III a 5-star wide receiver, has committed to Syracuse University.
Miami Northwestern's Calvin "GUMP" Russell III a 5-star wide receiver, has committed to Syracuse University. / Chet Peterman / Special to The Post / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Calvin “GUMP” Russell III, a two-sport phenom and five-star wide receiver at Miami Northwestern Senior High School, announced his commitment to Syracuse University on Saturday night, ending one of the most high-profile recruitments in the Class of 2026.

The 6-foot-5 standout helped lead Miami Northwestern to the Florida Class 3A football state championship in 2024 and has been a nationally coveted recruit in both football and basketball.

Why Syracuse? A Decision Rooted in Trust and Growth

“It’s about trusting the process and finding the right people to grow on and off the field with,” Russell said in a statement released by Network, a sports marketing agency representing Russell with NIL inititatives. “I’m thankful for everyone who’s been part of this journey, and I’m ready to work and give everything I got to Syracuse. This is the next step toward what I’ve been working for my entire life.”

A Mother’s Pride and a Family Legacy

Chanivia Broussard, Russell’s mother and a University of Miami Hall of Fame basketball player, shared her pride in her son’s decision with a statement in the press release.

“Watching Calvin commit to Syracuse is one of the proudest moments of my life,” Broussard said. “He’s worked so hard in both sports, and now he gets to live out both dreams at a school that truly values who he is on and off the field.”

The Meaning Behind “GUMP”

Russell's nickname "GUMP" stands for "Great Under Pressure."

It is also the namesake of his official web site and new lifestyle and apparel brand - gumpbrand.com – launched by Network.

Published
Gary Adornato
GARY ADORNATO

Gary Adornato is the Senior VP of Content for High School On SI and SBLive Sports. He began covering high school sports with the Baltimore Sun in 1982, while still a mass communications major at Towson University. In 2003 became one of the first journalists to cover high school sports online while operating MIAASports.com, the official website of the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association. Later, Adornato pioneered market-wide coverage of high school sports with DigitalSports.com, introducing video highlights and player interviews while assembling an award-winning editorial staff. In 2010, he launched VarsitySportsNetwork.com which became the premier source of high school media coverage in the state of Maryland. In 2022, he sold VSN to The Baltimore Banner and joined SBLive Sports as the company's East Coast Managing Editor.

Home/Florida