Josh Ross Bio
Josh Ross (born October 31, 1999) is an American professional football linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 0 inches tall and weighing around 229 pounds, he plays the linebacker position and wears jersey number 52. Ross attended St. Mary’s Preparatory in Michigan before playing college football for the Michigan Wolverines across five seasons.
After going undrafted in the 2022 NFL Draft, Ross signed with the Baltimore Ravens and began his professional career. He later had a brief stint with the Seattle Seahawks before joining the Minnesota Vikings in December 2025. Known for his special teams contributions and run defense, Ross has built his career on toughness, versatility, and steady improvement through practice squad opportunities.
Early Life and Background
Josh Ross was born on October 31, 1999, in Detroit, Michigan, and grew up in the nearby community of Southfield, Michigan. He attended St. Mary’s Preparatory, a well-known high school football program in Orchard Lake Village, Michigan. The Detroit area has long produced talented linebackers, and Ross developed his love for the game in that competitive football environment.
As a senior at St. Mary’s Preparatory, Ross put together an outstanding season that established him as one of the top linebacker prospects in the region. He recorded 142 tackles with 20 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries. Those numbers reflected his instincts against the run, his ability to pressure the quarterback, and his nose for the football.
Ross was rated as a four-star recruit and received scholarship offers from several major college football programs, including Ohio State, Michigan State, and Notre Dame. He ultimately committed to play college football at Michigan, choosing to stay in his home state and represent the Wolverines.
Path to American Football
Ross’s path to the NFL began with his five seasons at the University of Michigan, where he developed from a special teams contributor into a starting linebacker. His freshman season saw him appear in all 13 of Michigan’s games, primarily on special teams, giving him valuable experience against top-tier competition.
As a sophomore, Ross continued to play in every game and was recognized as honorable mention All-Big Ten after finishing with 61 tackles and one sack. That production hinted at the larger role he would later assume. He then opened his junior season as a starter before an ankle injury cut his year short and forced him to miss the rest of the regular season.
During the COVID-19-shortened 2020 senior season, Ross started all six games and again earned honorable mention all-conference recognition with 53 tackles. He chose to return for a fifth season as a graduate student, and in that final year he recorded 106 tackles with nine tackles for loss, earning third-team All-Big Ten honors in 2021.
Josh Ross Career
Early Career (2022)
Ross signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent on May 7, 2022, beginning his NFL journey. He performed well enough in training camp to make the Ravens’ initial 53-man roster, a significant accomplishment for an undrafted rookie linebacker. His first game action, however, was interrupted when he suffered a foot injury in Week 2 and was placed on injured reserve on September 19, 2022.
Ross was designated to return from injured reserve on December 20, 2022, showing the organization’s continued belief in his potential. That late-season return allowed him to finish his rookie year on the active roster and gain valuable in-game experience heading into his second professional season.
Baltimore Ravens Breakthrough (2023–2024)
Ross’s time with the Baltimore Ravens was marked by perseverance through multiple practice squad moves. On August 29, 2023, he was waived by the Ravens and quickly re-signed to the practice squad. He later signed a reserve/future contract on January 29, 2024, securing his place in the organization heading into the next league year.
The 2024 offseason brought more movement, as Ross was waived again on August 27, 2024, and returned to the practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on September 5, 2024, only to be waived on October 22. Through these transitions, Ross continued to sharpen his special teams play and defensive technique, building the resume that would earn him another NFL opportunity.
Seattle Seahawks Era (2024–2025)
Ross was claimed off waivers by the Seattle Seahawks on October 23, 2024, providing a fresh start with a new organization. He spent the remainder of that season contributing on special teams and within the linebacker rotation, showing the tackling reliability that had defined his college career.
On March 21, 2025, the Seahawks re-signed Ross to a one-year deal, signaling their confidence in his development. He was later waived on August 26, 2025, as part of final roster cuts, once again testing his resolve and readiness to compete at the next level.
Minnesota Vikings Era (2025–Present)
On December 10, 2025, Ross signed with the Minnesota Vikings’ practice squad, joining a defensive group known for its aggressive scheme. He then signed a reserve/future contract with Minnesota on January 5, 2026, locking in his place with the organization beyond the current campaign.
Wearing number 52, Ross is listed as an active member of the Vikings roster and is expected to compete for a role on defense and special teams. His journey from undrafted free agent to reserve/future signing reflects the steady patience required to survive and grow in the NFL.
Driving Style and Strengths
Although football is not a driving sport, Ross’s playing strengths mirror the discipline of a well-tuned athlete. He excels in run defense, diagnosing plays quickly and finishing tackles with proper technique. His special teams background has made him a reliable coverage player, and his football intelligence, forged across five college seasons, allows him to align and communicate effectively within a defensive scheme.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Ross’s notable moments is his third-team All-Big Ten selection in 2021, when he posted 106 tackles with nine tackles for loss in his final Michigan season. His senior year totals of 142 tackles and 12.5 sacks at St. Mary’s Preparatory stand as one of the top individual seasons in program history. Making the Ravens’ initial 53-man roster as an undrafted rookie in 2022 also marked an early career milestone.
Josh Ross Career Wins
Josh Ross’s professional resume is measured less in traditional win totals and more in roster survival, role reliability, and sustained contribution. Across stints with the Baltimore Ravens, Seattle Seahawks, and Minnesota Vikings, he has continued to earn opportunities through special teams play, tackling consistency, and defensive preparation.
NFL Career Highlights
Ross’s NFL career highlights include making the Baltimore Ravens’ initial 53-man roster in 2022, being designated to return from injured reserve that same season, and earning reserve/future contracts with both the Ravens in January 2024 and the Minnesota Vikings in January 2026. As of the 2025 season, he had recorded 11 total tackles in his NFL career statistics.
Other Wins & Performances
At St. Mary’s Preparatory, Ross delivered a senior season that included 142 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries. At Michigan, he finished with honorable mention All-Big Ten honors in both his sophomore and senior seasons before securing third-team All-Big Ten recognition in 2021.
Josh Ross Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Ross grew up in Southfield, Michigan, in the Detroit metropolitan area, a region with a strong football tradition. Publicly available details about his immediate family remain limited, and confirmed information about parents or siblings has not been widely reported.
Personal Life
Ross maintains a relatively private personal life away from the football field. He is publicly active on Instagram under the handle joshuaross_12, where fans can follow updates about his training and career. Confirmed public details about a spouse or children have not been reported.
2025 Season Performance
Ross’s 2025 season began with the Seattle Seahawks, who re-signed him to a one-year deal on March 21, 2025. He competed through training camp and the preseason before being waived on August 26 as part of final roster cuts. The midseason release did not end his year, as a new opportunity soon emerged with a different organization.
On December 10, 2025, Ross signed with the Minnesota Vikings’ practice squad, giving him a late-season chance to contribute within a competitive NFC defense. His role focused on special teams and depth at linebacker, areas where his tackling reliability and football IQ continued to stand out.
Looking ahead, Ross signed a reserve/future contract with the Vikings on January 5, 2026, securing his spot on the offseason roster. That deal sets the stage for a full 2026 offseason program, where he will compete for a defined defensive or core special teams role in Minnesota.
