CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) – Clemson receiver Justyn Ross, considered a first-round NFL draft pick next spring, will miss the upcoming college season due to a spinal condition uncovered after he was hurt at practice in March.
Tigers coach Dabo Swinney said Ross will have surgery on Friday because of a congenital fusion of vertebrae he has had since birth. Ross also has a bulging disc.
The condition was found after Ross apparently hurt his shoulder during a spring practice session before workouts were shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“I was shocked,” Swinney said.
Ross is a 6-foot-4, 205-pound sophomore from Phenix City, Alabama, who led the Tigers with 66 catches a year ago. He first gained national attention as a freshman in Clemson’s 44-16 national championship win over Alabama in January 2019 when he had six catches for 153 yards including a 74-yard TD.
Some NFL projections for the 2021 draft have Ross a top-10 selection. Swinney acknowledged that Ross will have a decision ahead next January if he feels he’s ready to move on to the next level.
Swinney said doctors have given Ross a plan going forward about playing football after this surgery and the player is confident he’ll return to the field.
“We all hurt for Justyn,” Swinney said. “Justyn’s been great and I expect him to be one of the best coaches we have on the sidelines because he loves those guys.”
Photo credit – Bart Boatwright / USA Today Sports
