Senior Bowl Spotlight: Fred Ross, Mississippi State
Height: 6’0 3/4″
Weight: 213 lbs
Hands: 9 1/4″
Arm: 31 1/4″
40 yard dash: 4.51 (official)
NFL Comparison: Rishard Matthews, Davaris Daniels

Scouting Notes: The SEC’s most consistent receiver, Ross had a “down” year minus Dak Prescott at QB, but he still ends his career at MSU with four school records: catches (195), consecutive games with a catch (34), 100-yard receiving games (10) and receiving yards (2,484). Ross doesn’t pop metric-wise; he’s not very fast for a primary receiver, but he’s a playmaker with a nose for the end zone and great body control. He can also switch gears on a dime and throw DBs off-balance. He has pull-away speed to get late-separation for deep balls on vertical routes, but he doesn’t necessarily have the afterburners to take it all the way to the house against a secondary utilizing good pursuit angles. He uses his awareness to maneuver his powerful frame through traffic, running headlong towards the paydirt – it’s almost like he’s constantly falling forward, even as he makes lateral movements. Ross has soft, big hands (interested to see the exact size), though he relies on body catches on occasion. He’s adept at finding the ball in the air, tracking it, adjusting and then positioning himself to grab it. He’s a strong route-runner and works well at creating space away from DBs.

Fantasy Outlook: Ross’s lack of breakaway speed will be the biggest factor in potentially limiting his success on the next level. His maneuverability and vision has been his saving grace thus far, but it may not work against pro defenders. Still, he’s managed to be one of the most productive receivers in the SEC without any particular special physical prowess. He reminds me of Rishard Matthews, another seemingly unspectacular player who manages to find himself in scoring position on a regular basis. We’ll get a good look at Ross at the Senior Bowl.

From the Mississippi State Athletic Department

2016 Biletnikoff Award Candidate
2015 First-Team All-SEC (Coaches)
2015 Second-Team All-SEC (Associated Press)
2014 SEC Academic Honor Roll

CAREER: Explosive, versatile playmaker who is one of the greatest receivers in Mississippi State history … Tremendous hands and is tough … Elected to return for his senior season after a prolific junior campaign in which he led the SEC in receptions per game and broke three school records … Can line up in the slot or at split end and is a dangerous return man … A candidate for the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s most outstanding receiver … Appeared in 37 games with 14 starts … In the MSU career record books: ranks fifth in catches (127), ninth in receiving touchdowns (10), 10th in receiving yards (1,611) and second in 100-yard receiving games (7) … Accounted for 12 touchdowns – 10 receiving, one rushing, one punt return … Produced double-digit reception games four times … Returned 22 punts for 232 yards and one score … Heads into the 2016 season having produced 100-yard receiving games in four out of his last five contests … Underwent surgery on his groin on March 9, 2016, and missed spring practice … Arrived in Starkville as a Parade All-American out of Texas.