Like most football players that have exhausted their college eligibility, Deshawn Ross has big dreams of moving on to the NFL.
In 2013, Ross, a surprisingly agile 6-foot-1, 291-pounder, was a big-time playmaker on Division II Kentucky State’s defensive line playing primarily nose tackle, end and the 3-technique. He totaled 33 tackles, including seven for loss, a team-leading 5.5 sacks, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery in nine games for a Kentucky State defense that allowed just a shade over 23 points and three yards rushing per game.
“I played a little end, 3-technique and the nose,” said Ross, who also played fullback and tight end on offense, proving his athleticism. “It varied on the team we played and what they liked to do.”
The highlight of his lone season as a Thorobred came against Lane College on Nov. 2, 2013. In the hard-fought 38-28 loss, Ross tallied six tackles and a season-high two sacks.
Last season, Ross sat out his senior season due to what he called a mix-up in his transcripts after a one-year stay at Southwest Baptist University prior to his arrival at Kentucky State.
“I missed last season due to my paperwork not getting in on time from my last school; the coaches also got fired,” explained Ross. “It would’ve been a long process and at the time and I wouldn’t have been cleared until game six so I decided to sit last year out.”
Although he’s missed his time away from the gridiron, Ross has been focused on getting his degree from Kentucky State. He will graduate with his diploma in Physical Education in May.
“After football, I’d love to be a recruiter for junior college and high school kids to help them get to the next level (a university),” Ross said.
Ross had offers from Louisville, Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky and Western Kentucky as a high school senior, but due to academics he wasn’t able to pursue a scholarship at those schools at the time. He attended the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, IL., before eventually winding up at Kentucky State.
Ross, who claims a 4.9 40-yard dash, said a couple of his favorite NFL players growing up where former Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle John Randle and St. Louis Rams end Leonard Little.
“I loved Randle because of his size and demeanor,” Ross said. “I loved Little because I’m a big Rams fan.”
When asked what he thought an NFL team would be getting if they picked him in April’s upcoming draft, Ross replied: “Someone who has a great motor, is a great teammate, is very coachable and eager and willing to learn.”
He also mentioned what his strengths are as a player, “my get off, my hand movements and my motor; I never quit on a play, even if a play is out of my reach I am going to give it my all to get there,” and what he needs to work on … “being a big guy, my conditioning. My technique as well; you can never stop working on your technique.”
In addition to finishing his degree, Ross, a Louisville native, is trying to keep himself in top shape to impress the scouts for his upcoming Pro Day, which will be held at the University of Kentucky on March 12.
“I feel like I am in real good shape,” Ross said. “My trainers (at Corey Taylor center in Louisville) have been pushing me to the limit, and I feel like this is the best shape I’ve ever been in.”
When asked what his favorite memory of college was, Ross replied: “Winning rings with my junior college buddies after we beat a Coffeyville team that produced a whole lot of NFL players in the Graphic Edge Bowl in 2010. It had Duron Carter, Quinton Patton, Sylvester Williams, Chris Robertson; going into the game we were underdogs by 21, but we won by 14.”
Big defensive linemen that can move are in high demand in the NFL. And while he may be a relative unknown at the moment, Ross could be a sleeper prospect to watch on draft day if he impresses scouts at Kentucky’s Pro Day next month.