John Ross, Budda Baker among four Huskies leaving early for NFL Draft
Jan 2, 2017, 3:35 PM | Updated: Jan 3, 2017, 11:51 am
John Ross, the Huskies' leading receiver in 2016, is reportedly going to enter the 2017 NFL Draft. (AP)
(AP)
Update: The University of Washington announced Tuesday that safety Budda Baker, cornerback Sidney Jones, defensive lineman Elijah Qualls and wide receiver John Ross have opted to forgo their senior seasons and enter their names in the 2017 NFL Draft. Baker, from Bellevue, was a consensus first-team All-America selection as a true junior in 2016. Jones was a three-year starter at cornerback who led UW in interceptions as a freshman and sophomore. Qualls is a fourth-year junior who started two seasons and earned first-team All-Pac-12 in 2016.
“These four players have been a big part of the progress this program has made during their time here,” said UW head coach Chris Petersen in a press release. “We wish them all the success in the world as they pursue their professional goals.”
Original story: Is John Ross the next DeSean Jackson? Is appears we won’t have to wait long to find out.
Ross, Washington’s lightning-quick play maker and leading receiver in 2016, will forego his senior season with the Huskies and enter the 2017 NFL Draft, according to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Ross has been touted as a potential first-round draft pick and drawn comparisons to Jackson, the versatile former Cal Bear who has electrified NFL crowds for Philadelphia and Washington, so the report of his impending departure is no surprise.
O’Neil: Huskies didn’t come close to beating Alabama, but they showed they belonged
It’s doubtful Ross will be the Huskies’ only early entry in the draft. The Seattle Times reported that safety Budda Baker, cornerback Sidney Jones, and defensive linemen Elijah Qualls and Vita Vea are all strongly considering leaving for the draft, as well.
A native of Long Beach, Calif., just like Jackson, Ross returned to the Huskies in a big way in 2016 after missing the entire previous season due to knee surgery. Showing much improved route running skills, he led UW with 1,150 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns. He also had 102 yards and a score on eight rushing attempts, and he was dangerous as a kick returner, which could be his greatest asset in the pros.
Ross was relatively quiet in Washington’s Peach Bowl loss to top-ranked Alabama on Saturday, being limited to 28 yards on five receptions (with a 9-yard catch being his long) against the Crimson Tide’s historically stingy defense.
Over three seasons with the Huskies, Ross returned four kickoffs for touchdowns – one each in 2013 and 2016, and two in 2014. Due to his reputation as one of the most elusive players in the country, Ross was limited to 17 returns in 2016, averaging 24.2 yards per return.
Ross was named First Team All-Pac-12 and was a semifinalist for the Biletnikoff Award in 2016.
