Lean with good muscle definition … Excels as a gunner on special teams and takes advantage of excellent leaping ability when performing as a punt blocker … His superb lateral agility and wrap up tackling skills could see him shift to free safety at the pro level … Hard-hitting defender with exceptional range and deep speed … Fearless taking on blocks … Does a nice job reacting to the inside routes … Plays physical with the receivers and works well in goal-line situations … Smooth in his backpedal, taking no wasted steps coming out of it.

CAREER NOTES

The Buckeyes' most experienced returning corner, Ross shocked the team prior to the Outback Bowl when he not only declared to enter the 2002 NFL Draft, but quit the team after undergoing two surgical procedures (shoulder/toe) … A fine coverage back and a physical defender, he was regarded as one of the elite pass thieves in the collegiate ranks … Finished his career with 91 tackles (82 solos) and seven stops behind the line of scrimmage in 35 games (12 starts) … Had nine interceptions and 20 pass deflections … His 217 yards via interception returns rank fourth on the school's all-time record list behind David Brown (218, 1986-89), Howard Cassady (230, 1952-55) and Mike Sensibaugh (248, 1968-70) … Also caused and recovered a pair of fumbles.

2001 SEASON

All-Big Ten Conference second-team selection … Played in 11 games, starting each one at weakside cornerback, except the Illinois clash … Ranked among the nation's leaders with seven interceptions for 194 yards in returns and a touchdown … His seven pass thefts rank fifth on the school's season-record list while his 194 yards set a Buckeyes record, breaking the previous mark of 166 yards by Gary Berry in 1997 … Recorded 41 tackles (39 solos) with a 1-yard sack and three stops behind the line of scrimmage … Deflected 13 passes … Caused and recovered a fumble.

• Akron - Began the season with 5 solo tackles and a stop for a 1-yard loss.
  
• UCLA - Posted 4 solo hits with a pass breakup.
  
• Indiana - Added 5 solo tackles and a 25-yard interception return.
  
• Northwestern - Followed with a 43-yard interception return, a pass breakup and 4 tackles.
  
• Wisconsin - Returned an interception 16 yards and batted away a pass.
  
• San Diego State - Earned Buckeye Player of the Game honors as he totaled 3 solo tackles with a stop behind the line of scrimmage, 2 interceptions for a total of 31 yards in returns and 5 pass deflections.
  
• Penn State - Had a pair of interceptions for 48 yards in returns, including a 45-yard touchdown, deflected 2 passes and made 2 solo stops.
  
• Minnesota. - Collected 4 solo tackles and a pass breakup, but had his string of of five straight games with at least one interception snapped
  
• Purdue - Caused a fumble that he recovered, advancing the ball 25 yards, made 4 tackles (3 solos) with a 1-yard sack, deflected a pass and intercepted another for a 56-yard return.
  
• Illinois - Followed with 4 solo tackles.
  
• Michigan - Closed out his career with 7 solo tackles and a pass deflection.
  
• South Carolina (Outback Bowl) - Declared to enter the 2002 NFL Draft as an underclassman … Quit the team after the Michigan contest … Opted to have surgery to repair season-long injuries that affected his performance late in the year … Underwent surgery to repair turf toe … Also had shoulder surgery to repair his AC joint and a fractured bone.

2000 SEASON

Was the third cornerback … Also excelled on special teams … Recorded 37 tackles (32 solos) with four stops for losses of 11 yards … Intercepted two passes for 23 yards in returns and deflected seven others … Recovered and caused a fumble.

1999 SEASON

Did not play, concentrating on improving his academic standing.

1998 SEASON

Played in every game as a reserve cornerback … Recorded 13 tackles (11 solos) as he saw most of his action on special teams … Blocked three kicks.

AGILITY TESTS

4.59 in the 40-yard dash … 2.6 20-yard dash … 1.6 10-yard dash … 9'10" broad jump … Bench presses 225 pounds 17 times … 31-inch arm length … 9 ½-inch hands.

HIGH SCHOOL

Attended Northwestern (Rock Hill, S.C.) High … An all-state quarterback and South Carolina Offensive Player of the Year as a senior … Northwestern finished second in the state his senior year with a 12-3 record … Had 15 interceptions for his career as a cornerback … Totaled 25 touchdowns as a junior.

PERSONAL

Criminology major … Son of Hattie Ross … Born Jan. 5, 1980 … Resides in Rock Hill, S.C.

STATS

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