Clemson football: Justyn Ross firmly planted among nation’s greats

Though Clemson football WR Justyn Ross hasn’t been officially cleared to play as he continues rehab from spinal surgery more than a year ago, he is still being recognized as one of the nation’s top playmakers.

Ross missed the 2020 Clemson football season as he recovered from a spinal surgery that had many wondering if he’d ever seen the football field again. Through this entire process, Ross has remained confident and upbeat. He has been training and has crossed every ‘check-mark’ off his bucket list beside the final clearance that the Tigers are hoping will come in just a few weeks.

As we look ahead to the 2021 season, it’s clear that Ross is gaining plenty of respect from analysts all across the country even if he hasn’t been officially cleared for full-contact yet.

SoonersWire’s Brianna Dix gave her list for the top five wide receivers in the country heading into the fall and she had Ross ranked No. 3 overall.

Here’s what she had to say about the Clemson football wide receiver:

"“The talent and upside are certainly there, but post-injury concerns still linger, much like neck injuries often do in athletes. Justyn Ross missed the entirety of the 2020 season with a spinal cord injury that required surgery. During his first two years at Clemson, Ross made a tremendous impact for the Tigers. He combined for 112 receptions for 1,865 yards, 16.7 yards per catch and 17 touchdowns. Throughout that span, he accumulated the third-most TDs on targets of 20-plus yards (11) per PFF. Ross uses his physicality to gain leverage on DBs.His contested catch ability is top-tier, and Ross will be a player to keep an eye on in 2021. He has immense potential to once again be among the top WRs across the nation,” Dix wrote."

Here’s a look at her top-five:

1. Chris Olave (Ohio State)
2. Garrett Wilson (Ohio State)
3. Justyn Ross (Clemson)
4. Treylon Burks (Arkansas)
5. Marvin Mims (Oklahoma)

There’s a reason that the Clemson football WR continues to be mentioned among the nation’s bests

People know and remember just what a dominant player that Ross was when he was on the field.

That game his freshman year against Alabama in the National Championship where he absolutely dominated NFL-caliber defensive backs all night long is something that hasn’t slipped the minds of those looking ahead to the wide receiver group for the 2022 NFL Draft.

Ross has the ability to beat any cornerback in the country in a one-on-one jump ball. His blend of physicality and athleticism is something that we simply don’t see all that often and it’s something that the Tigers staunchly missed last season.

If Ross is cleared (and obviously the most important thing is his health), he would automatically be one of the top playmakers in the country and the ACC. He is a nightmare for opposing defenses and it’s clear that he has something to prove as he steps back on the field.

Look out for Justyn Ross this season, Clemson fans, he could be an absolute monster before it’s all said and done.