Justyn Ross thankful for opportunity, ready to prove doubters wrong

CLEMSON — All former Clemson receiver Justyn Ross was looking for was an opportunity. After going undrafted in last month’s NFL draft, he landed one with the Kansas City Chiefs last Monday.

Ross took part in his first practices with the Chiefs over the weekend and spoke with the Kansas City media for the first time, as well. 

The former Tigers star said in a press conference that just putting on the Chiefs jersey and going through a practice was special after wondering if he would ever get a shot in the NFL. Ross missed the entire 2020 college football season due to a congenital fusion of his spine.

“It felt good,” Ross said. “With what I had going on, you never knew if I was going to be able to be out here at all — period. So it felt real good.”

The fact that Ross had to sign with the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent is remarkable when you consider the way his college career started.

As a freshman in 2018, Ross led Clemson with 1,000 receiving yards and helped the Tigers to a national title. He topped the 100-yard mark in College Football Playoff wins over Notre Dame and Alabama that year and seemed like a lock future first-round pick.

Ross had another strong season as a sophomore, leading the Tigers in receptions. But after that he ran into health problems. Ross had a stinger during a spring practice prior to his junior season, and doctors discovered that he had a congenital fusion of his spine. His football career was suddenly in jeopardy.

After undergoing surgery and spending months rehabbing, Ross was eventually cleared to return to the field for the 2021 season, but he suffered a broken foot in the preseason and wasn’t the same player he was as a freshman and sophomore.

The good news for Ross and the Chiefs is that he now feels healthy.

“It was frustrating, but I haven’t had stuff easy for me. I’ve had to push through a lot of stuff, so it wasn’t really too bad,” Ross said. “My freshman year I didn’t have no problems. … With coming into this past season with Clemson, it was pretty difficult. But I feel like this go-around I’m going to be healthy, so I feel good.” 

If Ross can stay healthy and get back to his freshman season form, it’s quite possible that the Chiefs landed the steal of the 2022 draft class.

He is explosive, has great hands and can high-point a football with the best of them when he is 100 percent.

“Of course I’m ready to prove everybody wrong, but I’m just trying to feel my spot, play my part on the team, just see what I can do,” Ross said.

He is hoping to turn into a top option for a Chiefs offense that is one of the best in the NFL and in need of playmakers after Tyreek Hill was traded to the Dolphins this offseason.

“Having Pat Mahomes — a great quarterback, Andy Reid – a great coach. And this receivers group – it feels like a family. I’ve only been here a day, but they’re treating me like family,” Ross said. “I’m going to be healthy this go-around. I’m going to be all the way healthy. I played through a broke foot last year, so I feel like this round is going to be real different.”