Clemson WR Justyn Ross having surgery, will turn pro

CLEMSON — Dabo Swinney announced Wednesday evening that star receiver Justyn Ross will have surgery on his foot Thursday and is planning to enter the NFL Draft.

Ross battled a stress fracture in his foot all season and further injured it last weekend against UConn.

The senior leads the Tigers with 46 catches for 514 yards and three touchdowns.

“That’s the plan, get him well. It’s not going to take long for him to get back well. We’ll see where he is. I don’t know if he would play in the bowl game or not,” Swinney said. “But he definitely would be ready to train and do what he needs to do for the combine and stuff, be ready to roll.”

Ross led Clemson in receiving yards with 1,000 as a freshman in 2018 and in receptions with 66 as a sophomore in 2019. He leads Clemson in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns this year.

The Alabama native missed the 2020 season after undergoing surgery for a congenital fusion in his spine.

Ross played a huge role in Clemson winning the 2018 national title as he topped the 100-yard mark against Notre Dame and Alabama in the College Football Playoff that year.

“He doesn’t need another season. He’s going pro and going to be a great one,” Swinney said. “He’s more than ready. He’d have been ready last year if he’d have not gotten hurt. He’ll get himself healthy. It’s amazing what he’s been able to do, his toughness is second to none. And what he’s put on tape. For people to see him playing football and kind of put some of their fears to rest.

“He’s battled all year, man. That’s the one thing I can say — his last play of his career is the epitome of Justyn Ross. I mean just tough and fighting for every ounce. That’s really what I’m going to always have etched in my mind. He fought to get back and was fighting to get everything he could get on that play.”