2022 NFL Draft: Why did Justyn Ross go undrafted?

This is why former Clemson football Justyn Ross went undrafted during the 2022 NFL Draft.

Once thought to be a first-round lock, former Clemson football standout Justyn Ross went undrafted.

Ross played a huge part in the Tigers’ most recent national championship victory in 2018. Had he been draft-eligible in 2020, no doubt about it, he would have been a first-round pick. However, Ross ran out of time to hear his name called in the 2022 NFL Draft. An incredible playmaker from an incredible program, but people are wondering why Ross was not able to have his special day.

The biggest reason why Ross plummeted in the draft process was because he had surgery on his spine two summers ago. His spinal condition was thought to be career-ending, but Ross returned to the college gridiron in 2021 after missing all of the 2020 campaign.

Justyn Ross goes undrafted: Why Clemson Tigers wide receiver was not picked

While he had to know this was possible, this absolutely stinks for a player as talented as Ross was coming out of high school. Of all the former star wide receivers at Clemson, Ross was on track to be the most talented to ever touch Howard’s Rock. Though his football career may not be over entirely, as he could sign with somebody as an undrafted free agent, the medicals are not good.

Ultimately, Ross will go down as one of the biggest reasons why NIL is so important in college sports. His best money-making days as a football player are in the rearview mirror. The shame in it all is he will never be able to capitalize on it. While many athletes go pro in something other than sports, Ross is poised to become the Clemson version of South Carolina legend Marcus Lattimore.

Ross will now have to battle to even make an NFL roster at this point of is fading football career.

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