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NFL Draft Scouting report on Michigan Football’s Josh Ross

By Cameron Stokes

MADISON, WI - OCTOBER 02: Linebacker Josh Ross #12 of the Michigan Wolverines against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on October 2, 2021 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Tom Hauck/Getty Images)
MADISON, WI - OCTOBER 02: Linebacker Josh Ross #12 of the Michigan Wolverines against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on October 2, 2021 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Tom Hauck/Getty Images) /
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One of the senior leaders on Michigan football this past season was linebacker Josh Ross, who did it all for the Wolveriners.

He was the vocal leader that the team needed, and he was one of the biggest reasons that Michigan football was finally able to get over the hump and make the College Football Playoff.

Now he turns his attention to the NFL Draft where he hopes to get drafted.

Strengths

  • Plays very fast, is quick to diagnose plays, is able to run around with smooth lateral agility with short-area quickness to find the football
  • Better between the tackles than people think. Quick to drop into zone upon diagnosing the play. Fast enough to be in a “Tampa-2” defense playing MIKE (middle) linebacker
  • Has a pretty good feel for how to read a QB’s eyes and reacts accordingly
  • Quick to come down on running plays, and has good enough speed to get around blockers to the edge on opposing outside rushing schemes

Weakness

  • Easily beaten by tight ends in the flats and can get pushed around when they start their routes
  • Needs to add more bulk to his frame to be able to contend with the bigger offensive linemen and running backs coming through the hole
  • Occasionally overplays due to aggressive nature. Gets fooled by QB sometimes
  • Gets caught with eyes in the backfield.
  • Doesn’t always wrap up and could allow occasional broken tackles to bigger, stronger running backs
  • On misdirection, is far too often out of position and gets taken out of the play completely
  • Doesn’t have elite speed and can be burned in coverage against smaller, faster receivers

Overview

Overall, Josh Ross will be a project at the next level if he gets drafted. He is faster than people think, but still has below-average speed for a linebacker.

He is scheme versatile, as he was able to play multiple schemes for two different defensive coordinators during his time at Michigan.

He is very aggressive, which can help and hurt him in live action.

His biggest weakness is his speed, and his size, as he can struggle with bigger, stronger tight ends if asked to cover, as well as by smaller faster receivers in the slot.

He also has a tendency to get out of position on misdirection, as he can be easily fooled, and his reaction time isn’t the best, although he is quick to diagnose other plays and get to the backfield for a tackle for loss.

Right now, his ceiling is a late-round pick (rounds 6-7) with the potential to be drafted in the mid-rounds (rounds 4-5) if a lot goes right.

Next. Projected depth chart going into spring. dark

It is imperative that he has a good NFL combine, a good Michigan Pro Day, and any other small events he can participate in. It wouldn’t be surprising if he gets undrafted but is a priority UDFA, as the NFL is shifting away from slower linebackers to more versatile, quicker ones that can cover sideline-to-sideline.

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