Brent Venables says Justyn Ross will create matchup issues

There might not be a more unique skill player in the country than Justyn Ross. A 6-foot-4, 205-pound wide receiver that can line up in the slot, Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables believes the Tigers’ weapon can throw a wrench in defensive game plans.

“He’s long, he’s got great ball skills, he’s got tremendous linear speed, he’s got toughness — just a great player,” Venables said of Ross on Thursday.

A fourth-year junior, Ross first burst onto the scene after a spectacular freshman campaign culminated in a six-catch, 148-yard, two-touchdown performance in the Cotton Bowl, then a six-catch, 153-yard performance in the national championship game. His sophomore year was no different, as he reeled in a team-high 66 receptions and turned it into 865 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.

Ross was forced to miss the 2020 campaign after undergoing surgery to correct a congenital fusion in his spine, but this season is already drawing attention. He was named to the preseason All-American first team by CBS Sports.

“Really happy for him that he’s back,” Venables said. “I know he’s a difference-maker kind of guy, a franchise player, but really happy for him and having the health, the rehab and being in a really good place mentally.”

Ross has only played two seasons due to injury, but he’s still put together impressive numbers in his young career. He’s reeled in 112 passes across those two years, parlaying them into 1,865 yards and 17 touchdowns — all while playing 29 games, and starting just 14.

“[Ross has] tremendous resiliency [and] toughness. A real playmaker, one that always has the trump card in most matchups,” Venables said.

Ross was ranked the No. 15 player in the country by Rivals as a high school wide receiver, coming into Clemson’s program as a five-star prospect. ESPN ranked Ross as the No. 1 player in Alabama, and he became the first top-ranked player from the state of Alabama not to commit to the Crimson Tide since 2005.

Ross’ former quarterback, Trevor Lawrence, has moved on from Clemson and was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the first-overall pick in April’s NFL Draft. Although Ross will have a new signal-caller under center, he should still be the favorite target for presumed starter D.J. Uiagalelei, a sophomore and former five-star recruit out of Inland Empire, California — at least, Venables thinks so.

“He creates a lot of issues for you,” Venables said of Ross. “I expect a huge season from just Justyn.”