John Ross

John Ross Bio

John Ellis Ross III is an American professional football wide receiver. Born on November 27, 1995, in Long Beach, California, he played college football for the Washington Huskies and was selected ninth overall by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2017 NFL Draft. Ross is known for his exceptional speed, having held the record for the fastest 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. His career has included notable achievements such as First-team All-American and Pac-12 Player of the Year in 2016.

Early Life and Background

John Ross grew up in Long Beach, California, where he attended Jordan High School. During his time there, he played both wide receiver and cornerback in football and participated in track and field. Ross showcased his athletic abilities by finishing third in the 100 meters at the 2013 CIF Southern Section Division 1 finals, clocking in at 10.66 seconds, and also recorded a time of 21.56 seconds in the 200 meters. Regarded as a four-star recruit by ESPN, he was ranked as the No. 49 overall prospect in California and committed to the University of Washington to continue his football career.

Path to American Football

Ross began his college career at the University of Washington in 2013, where he played in all 13 games as a true freshman. He finished that season with 16 receptions for 208 yards and one touchdown, along with 720 kick return yards and a touchdown. In 2014, he continued to impress, leading the NCAA in kickoff return yards with 938 and scoring two touchdowns. However, his career faced setbacks when he missed the entire 2015 season due to a torn ACL. Ross made a strong comeback in 2016, recording five receptions for 90 yards and two touchdowns in his first game back. He decided to forgo his senior season to enter the NFL Draft after the 2016 season, where he was diagnosed with a torn labrum in his shoulder.

John Ross Career

Early Career (2017–2020)

The Cincinnati Bengals selected John Ross in the first round (ninth overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft. He signed a four-year contract worth $17.1 million with a signing bonus of $10.6 million. Despite being a first-round pick, Ross struggled in his rookie season due to injuries and limited playing time, finishing with no statistics in his first year. In the 2018 season, he recorded his first professional touchdown and had a productive year with 21 receptions for 210 yards and seven touchdowns. Ross’s performance continued to improve, and he had notable games in the 2019 season, including a game with seven catches for 158 yards and two touchdowns against the Seattle Seahawks.

Breakthrough (2021–2023)

In March 2021, Ross signed a one-year contract with the New York Giants. He had a solid season, finishing with 11 receptions for 224 yards and one touchdown. After a brief stint with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2023, where he announced his retirement, Ross sought a comeback later that year. He was waived by the Chiefs and entered free agency. On May 23, 2024, he signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles but was released in August. He was later re-signed to the practice squad before being released again in December.

Notable Works and Milestones

John Ross is known for his record-setting speed, having held the fastest 40-yard dash time at the NFL Combine for seven years. His notable achievements include being named First-team All-American and Pac-12 Player of the Year in 2016, as well as leading the NCAA in kickoff return yards in 2014.

John Ross Award Nominations

Throughout his career, John Ross has received several nominations and accolades, including being recognized as a First-team All-American and Pac-12 Player of the Year.