Justyn Ross Bio
Justyn Ross is an American professional football wide receiver who has competed at both the collegiate and professional levels. Born on December 15, 1999, in Phenix City, Alabama, Ross first gained national attention as a standout receiver at Central High School before developing into one of the most productive pass catchers in Clemson University history. He currently plays for the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League (UFL) after spending three seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs in the National Football League (NFL).
Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing around 210 pounds, Ross entered the league with the size and athleticism that had made him a top-ranked recruit. Despite missing an entire college season due to surgery on his neck and spine, he returned to the field and later signed with the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2022. Ross is a two-time Super Bowl champion and a former College Football Playoff national champion, accomplishments that highlight his role on multiple title-winning teams.
Early Life and Background
Justyn Ross grew up in Phenix City, Alabama, where he attended Central High School and developed into one of the most sought-after high school football recruits in the country. During his senior season at Central, he recorded 37 receptions for 730 yards and 13 touchdowns, numbers that earned him recognition as a four-star recruit and the number 45 overall prospect in his class. He was also ranked as the number 7 wide receiver nationally, drawing scholarship offers from powerhouse programs such as Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, and Duke.
Coming from a region with deep football traditions, Ross was immersed in the sport from a young age and quickly stood out for his combination of size, route running, and ball skills. His recruitment became one of the most closely watched storylines in the 2018 class, and he eventually chose Clemson University as his college destination. That decision launched a collegiate career that would later place him among the most accomplished receivers in Tigers history.
Path to American Football
Ross arrived at Clemson in 2018 as part of a recruiting class that helped the Tigers remain among the elite programs in college football. As a true freshman, he made an immediate impact, finishing the season with 46 receptions for 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns. He capped that year by starring in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game against Alabama, catching six passes for 153 yards and a touchdown in a victory that secured Clemson’s national title.
Ross continued to develop during his sophomore season in 2019, posting 865 receiving yards on 66 receptions with eight touchdowns. The following year, he was sidelined by a congenital fusion condition in his neck and spine related to Klippel-Feil syndrome and missed the entire 2020 season after undergoing surgery. He returned in 2021 as a redshirt junior and led the team with 524 receiving yards on 47 receptions and three touchdowns in ten games, finishing his Clemson career ranked fifth all-time in program history with 20 receiving touchdowns. After the season, he declared for the 2022 NFL Draft.
Justyn Ross Career
Early Career
Justyn Ross entered the professional ranks without hearing his name called in the 2022 NFL Draft. Shortly after the draft, he signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent on May 7, 2022, beginning his NFL journey in one of the league’s most explosive offenses. His rookie season was cut short when he was placed on injured reserve on July 25, 2022, due to an offseason foot surgery, causing him to miss the entire year.
Even while sidelined, Ross was part of a Chiefs team that went on to win Super Bowl LVII, defeating the Philadelphia Eagles to give him his first professional championship ring. The time away from the field allowed him to heal and continue developing within Kansas City’s offensive system under head coach Andy Reid.
Kansas City Chiefs Breakthrough
Ross became more involved in the Chiefs offense during the 2023 and 2024 seasons, working within a passing attack led by quarterback Patrick Mahomes. In 2023, his season was interrupted when he was placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt List on October 27, 2023, following an arrest earlier in the week for domestic battery and criminal property damage in Shawnee, Kansas. He was later suspended from Week 8 through Week 14 of that season.
Despite the off-field difficulties, Ross remained with the Chiefs organization and was part of the team that won Super Bowl LVIII, this time defeating the San Francisco 49ers to give him his second championship. His role as a contributor in practice and on game days helped him stay within a winning culture during his time in Kansas City.
Birmingham Stallions Era
On August 27, 2024, the Kansas City Chiefs waived Ross, and he was quickly re-signed to the team’s practice squad. He later signed a reserve and future contract on February 11, 2025, before being waived by the Chiefs again on July 16, 2025. Looking for a fresh opportunity, Ross was selected by the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League on January 14, 2026, beginning a new chapter in his professional career.
With the Birmingham Stallions, Ross joined a UFL franchise known for its strong rosters and championship pedigree. His move to the spring league offered him a chance to showcase his skills in a more featured offensive role and to continue building on the two Super Bowl titles he earned earlier in his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the most significant milestones in Justyn Ross’s career are his two Super Bowl championships with the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII and Super Bowl LVIII. He was also part of the Clemson team that won the College Football Playoff national championship in 2018, where his performance against Alabama cemented his reputation as a clutch performer. In 2021, he received the Brian Piccolo Award, honoring his perseverance through injury and his impact both on and off the field.
Justyn Ross Career Wins
Justyn Ross’s championship resume includes two Super Bowl titles with the Kansas City Chiefs and a College Football Playoff national championship with Clemson in 2018. While his individual statistical production at the NFL level has been limited, he has been part of winning rosters that reached the sport’s biggest stages.
Kansas City Chiefs Highlights
Ross earned his first Super Bowl championship when the Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII, an experience that came during his rookie season despite his injury absence. He later won a second ring when Kansas City beat the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII. Across his time with the Chiefs, he recorded 6 receptions for 53 receiving yards, contributing to a depth chart that included several of the league’s most productive pass catchers.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his professional championships, Ross was a key contributor to Clemson’s 2018 national title run, highlighted by his 1,000-yard freshman season and his standout performance against Alabama in the championship game. He was recognized with the Brian Piccolo Award in 2021, which is presented annually to a player who demonstrates courage, dedication, and leadership in the face of adversity.
Justyn Ross Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Justyn Ross grew up in Phenix City, Alabama, in a community where football has long played a central role in family and community life. While details about his parents and extended family are not widely documented, his upbringing in a football-rich region helped shape his path into the sport and supported his rise through high school and college football.
Personal Life
Justyn Ross faced public scrutiny in October 2023 following his arrest in Shawnee, Kansas, on charges of domestic battery and criminal property damage of less than $1,000. The incident led to his placement on the Commissioner’s Exempt List and a subsequent multi-week suspension from the NFL. He has since moved on to the Birmingham Stallions of the UFL, where he continues his professional football career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 calendar year brought significant change for Justyn Ross as he transitioned between organizations. He signed a reserve and future contract with the Kansas City Chiefs on February 11, 2025, keeping him within the Kansas City system and offering a chance to compete for a roster spot in the upcoming season. However, the Chiefs waived him on July 16, 2025, ending his time with the franchise that had drafted him as an undrafted free agent in 2022.
Following his release, Ross evaluated his options for continuing his professional career, with several spring and indoor football leagues expressing interest in adding an experienced pass catcher with championship pedigree. His selection by the Birmingham Stallions of the UFL on January 14, 2026, gave him an opportunity to revive his career in a league that has become a proving ground for players seeking to return to higher levels of professional football.
Looking ahead, Ross will be looking to leverage his size, experience, and championship background to carve out a featured offensive role with the Stallions. A strong spring in the UFL could position him for another opportunity at the NFL level, where his two Super Bowl rings and proven big-game experience would make him an attractive addition for teams in need of veteran receiver depth.
