Five-star WR says "Clemson is the place to be if you're a receiver"

Ross says he hopes to make a decision soon

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Wed Apr 12 10:24:35 GMT-04:00 2017

Five-star wide receiver Justyn Ross has been to Alabama, Auburn and Florida St. for visits, but Clemson is the one that stands out.

The 2018 prospect out of Phenix City (AL) Central visited the Clemson campus Tuesday with his coaches and teammates, and he told TigerNet early Tuesday that the recruiting grapevine has been buzzing about Clemson, and he wanted to see if the other recruits were telling the truth.

“I wanted to see what all of the hype was about to Clemson,” Ross said. “Everybody that went there that I am friends with in recruiting had a good time when they went there, and I wanted to see for myself. It was a great experience, and I got to meet with Coach Swinney and some of the other coaches.”

Ross spent one-on-one time with head coach Dabo Swinney, who reverted back to his role as a receivers coach when dealing with the N0. 54 prospect in the ESPN300.

“I had a great time getting to know all of the coaches,” Ross said. “Coach Swinney said he would develop me as a receiver. He said his background is coaching receivers, and he knows what he is doing with receivers.”

Ross also spent time with receivers coach and co-offensive coordinator Jeff Scott, who proudly showed off the wall in the new football operations center that highlights Clemson’s success in putting receivers in the NFL.

“What blew me away was how many receivers they've put in the NFL in the last four years,” Ross said. “Coach Scott showed me all of the receivers they've put in the NFL, and it's all about development. Clemson is the place to be if you're a receiver and you want to play in the NFL.”

Central head coach Jamey Dubose made the trip with Ross, and he said that Ross is good now, but has a chance to be even better.

“Justyn is a quiet person, a hard worker, and a mature kid. He understands where he wants to get and what it takes to get there,” Dubose said. “He is a quiet kid who leads by example rather than by voicing a lot of things. He works hard when he is asked to perform. He is a talented individual who has a lot of upside. We have developed a lot of players who are 4-stars and 5-stars and All-Americans. Justyn is a kid who came to football by way of basketball, and he has an opportunity to be even better than what you see right now. He catches the ball really well and runs unbelievable routes.”

Ross said he wants to make a decision before his senior season, but wants to wait on one very special person before announcing – his mother is in the Army National Guard and is currently deployed overseas. When she gets back home in a few months, he hopes to talk the decision over with her and make an announcement.

The good news for the Tigers is that after Monday’s visit, they are firmly in the mix.

“That was definitely one of the best visits I’ve been on,” Ross said. “I don't have a list of top schools right now, but they (Clemson) definitely have my interest. The two in-state schools will always be there, and the four schools I've had a chance to visit. Alabama, Auburn, Florida St. and Clemson.”

Ross had 38 catches for 663 yards and eight touchdowns as a junior. He had 34 catches for 672 yards and seven touchdowns as a sophomore.

Rivals ranks Ross, who stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 195 pounds, the No. 3 wide receiver in the 2018 class, the No. 1 player in Alabama and No. 19 in the Rivals100.

I can honestly say that today was one of the best visits I've ever been on. ?? #ALLIN @atxlete @Trevorlawrencee
— Justyn Ross . ???? (@_Jross5) April 11, 2017