Name: Justyn Ross

School: Clemson

Year: rJr

Position: Wide Receiver

Measurables: 6’3 5/8^" 205 lbs.

Stats: 

General Info:

He played at Central High School in Alabama. Ross was the 15^th best player in the nation per Rivals. He collected 37 receptions for 730 yards and 13 TDs as a senior. He also returned 14 punts for 383 yards and two TDs. Ross also played on his high school basketball team. In 15 games as a true freshman, he had 46 catches for 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns. He averaged 21.7 yards a catch which was a school record. Ross caught a 74-yard touchdown against Alabama in the championship game. For his sophomore season, he caught 66 passes for 865 yards and eight touchdowns. He missed the following season due to neck surgery. Ross came back in 2021 and recorded 46 catches for 514 yards and three touchdowns in 10 games. Voted as a team captain. Injured against Boston College. He missed the final three games with a broken foot. Declared for the NFL draft in January.

Positional Skills:

Strengths

Ross has good size and build at 6’3 205. He is well built and proportioned. He has experience both on the outside and in the slot, especially in 2021. Ross will use different release packages including a foot fire. He is a strong willing blocker. The former Tiger can dig balls out of the dirt despite his height. Ross has long arms and a large catch radius. Ross was used on end-a-rounds and faired ok and got positive yardage. He will use his big body like a post player in basketball and shield the defender away from the ball. He will use an arm swipe move to knock the DB’s hands away and get into his route. Already showing the ability to toe-tap the line with both feet on the sideline or in the back of the end zone. On film, he has shown the ability to smoothly transition from catching the ball to getting up the field. Is not an easy guy to take down, especially when defenders try to go high on him. On film, he has also shown he can find holes in zone defense.

Weaknesses

The biggest one is injury concerns. It was thought he was going to have to retire when he had the spinal fusion but was cleared to return in 2021. NFL might take a lot more caution and be worried he could end up hurting it again and have to retire. He also broke his foot at the end of 2021. He lacks deep speed and separation on routes. The quarterback and he had several communication issues in 2021, it’s hard to know whether he was him, the QB, or both. Ross did short-arm a few balls in 2021 and needs to clean that up. Out routes could be less rounded. It is doubtful he will be used on end around or reverses very much in the NFL. The former Clemson Tiger has good size hands but still will get some balls knocked out. Ross is not much of a YAC guy, he mostly gets up the field and gets what he can. Press corners can also give him trouble sometimes.

Fit with the Packers:

If he was being drafted off his freshman season he would be a great fit for the Packers on day two, but unfortunately, injuries seem to have robbed him of some of his athleticism. He tested poorly and it shows on film. But with that being said even with the injury concerns if he slipped to the 6^th or 7^th round he would be an ok gamble to see if maybe he could recapture some of that ability that seemed to be lost to injury in recent seasons. Ross is also a good blocker which is something the Packers like in their receivers. He has some talent and skill to be able to play in the NFL as a big slot/possession receiver at least. I have doubts whether the Packers' medical staff would clear him though. Plus, his poor testing probably leaves him off their board.