D’Angelo Ross Bio
D’Angelo Julius Skyler Ross (born October 29, 1996) is an American professional football cornerback who plays for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. Standing 5 feet 9 inches tall and competing at 190 pounds, Ross has built his NFL career through persistence, signing as an undrafted free agent out of the University of New Mexico in 2019 and working his way across four organizations.
Ross is best known for the defensive two-point conversion he returned off a blocked PAT during a 2025 Wild Card playoff win with the Houston Texans, the first such play in the postseason since the rule was adopted in 2015. Now in Cleveland, he continues to add depth and experience to a Browns secondary that has valued his practice-squad reliability and special-teams instincts.
Early Life and Background
D’Angelo Ross was born on October 29, 1996, in La Puente, California, in the United States. He grew up in the San Gabriel Valley as one of five children raised by Daniel and Wendy Ross, who supported his early interest in football and helped shape his disciplined approach to the sport.
Ross attended South Hills High School in West Covina, California, where he developed into a reliable defensive back and earned attention from junior college recruiters. His high school career set the foundation for the technical footwork and coverage awareness that have defined his professional play.
Path to American Football
After high school, Ross began his college career at Fullerton College, where he spent his first two seasons. In 25 career games for the Hornets, Ross posted eight interceptions and earned first-team All-SCFA National Division honors during his sophomore year, drawing the attention of four-year programs.
He transferred to the University of New Mexico for the 2017 and 2018 seasons, appearing in 24 games for the Lobos. As a junior, Ross recorded 28 total tackles and 11 pass deflections, then improved as a senior with 57 total tackles, 6 pass deflections, 1 interception, and 1 forced fumble. Although he was not invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, Ross ran a 4.32-second 40-yard dash at New Mexico’s pro day, a mark that caught the attention of NFL scouts.
D’Angelo Ross Career
Early Career (2019–2021)
Ross signed with the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent on May 2, 2019, beginning his professional career with one of the league’s most decorated organizations. He was placed on injured reserve on August 12 of his rookie year, a setback that limited his early development but did not derail his path.
On September 5, 2020, the Patriots released Ross before re-signing him to the practice squad the following day. He was elevated to the active roster for the Week 17 game against the New York Jets on January 2, 2021, then signed a reserve/future contract on January 4. The Patriots released him again in early September 2021 before re-signing him to the practice squad, giving Ross three seasons of valuable organizational experience despite limited regular-season playing time.
New England Patriots Era (2019–2021)
Ross’s New England tenure was defined by patience and perseverance. Moving between the active roster and the practice squad, he absorbed the Patriots’ defensive system while contributing on special teams whenever called upon.
The time in Foxborough gave Ross a strong foundation in technique and preparation, lessons that proved vital as he transitioned to new teams in subsequent seasons. His release in 2021 opened the door for the next chapter of his career.
Miami Dolphins Era (2022)
On January 25, 2022, Ross signed a reserve/future contract with the Miami Dolphins, hoping to compete for a roster spot. He was waived/injured on August 29 and placed on injured reserve before being released on September 1.
His brief Dolphins stint was cut short by injury, but Ross remained active in the broader professional football landscape. In November 2022, he was selected by the St. Louis BattleHawks in the 2023 XFL draft, an indication of his continued value as a defensive back at the professional level.
Houston Texans Era (2022–2025)
Ross signed with the Houston Texans practice squad on November 22, 2022, and signed a reserve/future contract on January 10, 2023. Over the next several seasons he became a familiar name on the Texans’ transaction wire, repeatedly moving between the practice squad and the active roster.
The 2024 season brought continued movement, including a placement on the active/physically unable to perform list on July 18, followed by a release on August 27 and a return to the practice squad the next day. He was promoted to the active roster on September 18 before being waived on November 9 and re-signed two days later. His most memorable moment came on January 11, 2025, when Ross returned a blocked PAT for a defensive two-point conversion in a Wild Card win against the Los Angeles Chargers, the first such postseason play since the rule was introduced in 2015. He was released by the Texans as part of final roster cuts on August 26, 2025, and re-signed to the practice squad the following week.
Cleveland Browns Era (2025–Present)
On November 19, 2025, Ross was signed by the Cleveland Browns off the Texans practice squad, joining a secondary in need of experienced depth. He quickly integrated into the Browns’ defensive rotation and contributed on special teams.
On March 17, 2026, Ross re-signed with Cleveland, solidifying his role with the franchise and signaling organizational confidence in his trajectory. As of Week 18 of the 2025 season, he had recorded 33 total tackles and 4 pass deflections.
Notable Events and Milestones
Ross’s signature NFL moment remains his January 11, 2025, defensive two-point conversion against the Los Angeles Chargers, a unique postseason feat that highlighted his instincts and special-teams value. His 4.32-second 40-yard dash at New Mexico’s pro day also stands as a career milestone, the kind of pre-draft performance that helped him earn his initial opportunity in New England despite going undrafted.
D’Angelo Ross Career Wins
As a defensive back and special-teams contributor, Ross’s professional ledger is measured less by individual victories than by roster persistence and landmark plays. Across stints with the New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins, Houston Texans, and Cleveland Browns, he has accumulated verified regular-season totals of 33 tackles and 4 pass deflections through Week 18 of 2025.
Playoff Highlights
Ross’s most celebrated professional performance came in the 2025 AFC Wild Card round, when the Houston Texans defeated the Los Angeles Chargers. His defensive two-point conversion off a blocked PAT was the first of its kind in the postseason since 2015, a record-setting contribution that elevated his profile across the league.
D’Angelo Ross Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Ross was born to Daniel and Wendy Ross, who raised him along with four siblings in the La Puente area of California. Their support throughout his youth and college journey laid the groundwork for a career that began without the spotlight of an NFL draft selection.
Personal Life
Ross graduated with a degree in business administration from the University of New Mexico in December 2018, the same institution where he completed his final two college seasons. He has continued to balance his professional football career with his growing family commitments off the field.
2025 Season Performance
Ross’s 2025 campaign began in Houston, where he once again navigated a busy transaction period that included a release as part of final roster cuts on August 26 and a swift return to the practice squad. His perseverance paid off during the postseason, when he etched his name into NFL history with the defensive two-point conversion against the Chargers.
After his release from the Texans, Ross joined the Cleveland Browns on November 19, 2025, providing depth and special-teams value down the stretch of the regular season. Through Week 18, he had tallied 33 total tackles and 4 pass deflections across his time with both clubs, a productive output for a defensive back rotating between practice squad and active duty.
With his March 17, 2026, re-signing in Cleveland, Ross is positioned to compete for an expanded role within the Browns’ secondary heading into future seasons, building on the momentum of a year in which his biggest play came on the postseason stage.