Justyn Ross ready to prove he's 'same ole' star receiver for Clemson

CLEMSON — He’s finally back.

Clemson star wideout Justyn Ross made his much-anticipated return to the practice field on Friday.

The senior receiver, who is one of the best wideouts in the nation when healthy, practiced with Clemson for the first time since being medically cleared last week. He had not practiced while medically cleared since the spring of 2020 prior to Friday’s workout. Ross learned prior to last season that he had a congenital fusion in his spine, which required surgery and forced him to miss all of last season.

Ross is currently in a re-acclamation period that is mandated by the NCAA for players beginning fall camp, meaning he can’t wear full pads yet. But he was back on the practice field in a regular orange offensive jersey on Friday, with Clemson’s season opener against Georgia about three weeks away.

“I feel great, man, the best I’ve ever felt. I feel like the same ole J Ross,” he said. “I’m ready. I ain’t got no piece of fear in me at all. I’m ready to play.”

Ross said Friday that he “shed a tear” last year when he first learned his football career was in doubt. But he remained positive throughout his long journey that ended with him finally being cleared last week.

Tigers coach Dabo Swinney called Ross in his office last week and delivered the good news.

“I honestly didn’t know what he was going to say,” Ross said. “He ended up telling me I’m ready to play. It was just something real big for me.”

Ross led Clemson’s team in receiving yards with 1,000 as a freshman in 2018. As a sophomore, he led the Tigers in catches with 66.

He is expected to be the go-to receiver once again for the Tigers this year. The plan is for him to start in the slot but move around all over the field.

“This will be the only position I haven’t played since I’ve been at Clemson. I’ve played in the boundary, I’ve played to the field. So this will be the only position I haven’t played. This will show NFL scouts they can really put me anywhere they want to on the field,” Ross said. “I’m a big guy and I feel like I can move like a little guy.”

Ross has no interest in being eased back into action. He’s ready to go against Georgia and will likely see former Tigers cornerback Derion Kendrick across from him some in the opener. Kendrick transferred to Georgia this offseason. The two used to battle on the practice field and now will do so at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.

“If it’s up to me I’m ready to play a full four-quarter game,” Ross said. “It’s gonna be real fun. That’s like one of my best friends. We gonna go at it.”