Aaron Ross

Infobox NFLactive
currentteam=New York Giants


width=125
caption=Aaron Ross during his tenure with the Texas Longhorns.
currentnumber=31
currentposition=Cornerback
birthdate=birth date and age|1982|9|15
birthplace=San Antonio, Texas
heightft=6
heightin=0
weight=193
debutyear=2007
debutteam=New York Giants
highlights=
* Jim Thorpe Award (2006)
* Super Bowl XLII champion
college=Texas
draftyear=2007
draftround=1
draftpick=20
pastteams=
* New York Giants (2007-Present)
statweek=17
statseason=2007
statlabel1=Tackles
statvalue1=42
statlabel2=Sacks
statvalue2=1.5
statlabel3=INTs
statvalue3=3
nfl=ROS527992

Aaron Jermaine Ross (born September 15, 1982 in San Antonio, Texas) is an American football defensive back for the New York Giants in the National Football League. He played cornerback for the University of Texas Longhorns from 2003 to 2006, winning the Jim Thorpe Award for the nation's top defensive back in 2006. He was named the defensive “most valuable player” of the 2006 Alamo Bowl.

High school career

Ross attended John Tyler High School in Tyler, Texas, where he competed as cornerback, wide receiver and running back in his three-year career under coach Allen Wilson. He was named second-team Class 5A All-State after posting six interceptions, three fumble recoveries, three blocked kicks and allowing just one touchdown reception as a senior in 2001. As a junior, he returned fumble and a blocked punt for a score, adding 350 rushing yards (on 46 carries) and five touchdowns and caught five passes for 200 yards and two scores that year. His career-high of 362 all-purpose yards came against Katy High School in 2001. Ross also registered three interceptions while rushing for a touchdown against Fair Park High School that season. His best game was against Marshall High School, when he amassed 272 all-purpose yards, rushed for two touchdowns and had an interception. As a sophomore, Ross played at Fox Tech High School in San Antonio, Texas. There he rushed for 486 yards and nine touchdowns and caught 11 passes for 382 yards and three scores on offense. He also intercepted five passes and blocked 10 kicks. During his time at both schools, he lettered four times as a sprinter in track & field and twice in basketball.

College career

Ross enrolled at Texas in 2002, but was academically ineligible to play. He played in thirteen games behind Nathan Vasher at left cornerback in 2003, coming up with 27 tackles (23 solos), a stop for a loss and two pass break-ups. He shared right cornerback duties with Tarell Brown in 2004, appearing in twelve contests. He recorded 36 tackles (28 solos) with an interception and three pass break-ups. He also averaged 7.6 yards on 18 punt returns.

As a junior, Ross earned All-Big Twelve Conference honorable mention. He started two games at cornerback and ranked tenth in the nation with a 14.7-yard average on 34 punt returns, returning two for touchdowns. He also had three interceptions with nine pass break-ups. He ranked seventh on the team with 62 tackles (35 solos), adding two stops behind the line of scrimmage.

Finally a full-time starter in 2006, Ross made the most of this opportunity. He earned All-American and All-Big Twelve Conference first-team honors, in addition to being named the Thorpe Award winner (nation’s top defensive back). The Big Twelve Defensive Player of the Year ranked third on the squad with 80 tackles (59 solos). He added a sack, two stops for losses and 19 pass deflections. He caused three fumbles, recovered two and picked off six passes. He also scored once while averaging 10.4 yards on 23 punt returns.

In 51 games at Texas. Ross started 15 times. He registered 205 tackles (145 solos) with a 1-yard sack, five stops for losses of 21 yards and a quarterback pressure. He caused three fumbles and recovered two others, returning one for a touchdown. Ross batted away 33 passes and intercepted ten others for 111 yards in returns (11.1 avg). He also returned 76 punts for 893 yards (11.8 avg) and three scores, adding 53 yards on a pair of kickoff returns (26.5 avg).

Ross was part of a Texas recruiting class, which contained future NFL players Rodrique Wright, Justin Blalock, Brian Robison, Kasey Studdard, Lyle Sendlein, David Thomas, Selvin Young, and Vince Young. [cite news | url=http://footballrecruiting.rivals.com/commitlist.asp?Year=2002&School=81&Sport=1 | title=Texas 2002 Football Commitments | publisher=Rivals.com | accessdate=2008-01-31] This class, cited as one of the strongest college recruiting classes ever [cite news | url=http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-83040183.html | title=Ruling class: master recruiter Mack Brown helps Texas consistently bring in top talent, but the Longhorns' 2002 group--led by highly lauded quarterback Vincent Young--might be one of the best recruiting classes ever | publisher= The Sporting News | accessdate=2008-01-31] , won the 2005 National Championship.

Ross was able to top off his career at Texas by winning the prestigious Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's top collegiate defensive back.

NFL career

Ross was selected by the New York Giants in the 2007 NFL Draft, as the 20th overall pick in the 1st round. He was one of seven Longhorns selected by professional football teams in the 2007 NFL Draft. The others were Michael Griffin (number 19 overall), Justin Blalock (number 39 overall), Tim Crowder (number 56 overall), Brian Robison (number 102 overall), Tarell Brown (number 147 overall), Kasey Studdard (number 183 overall).cite news |url=http://insider.espn.go.com/nfldraft/draft/tracker/school?id=2432&action=login&appRedirect=http%3A%2F%2Finsider.espn.go.com%2Fnfldraft%2Fdraft%2Ftracker%2Fschool%3Fid%3D2432 | title=NCAA Schools: TEXAS | publisher=ESPN | date=April 29 2007 | accessdate=2007-05-01] Lyle Sendlein and Selvin Young were not drafted but signed with NFL teams as free agents. [cite news | url=http://www.mackbrown-texasfootball.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=40&url_subchannel_id=&url_article_id=2797&change_well_id=2 | title=2007 NFL Draft | publisher=MackBrownTexasFootball | accessdate=2007-05-01] Had first and second career interceptions against the New York Jets, returning his second for his first career touchdown. Ross helped the Giants win Super Bowl XLII by starting at corner.

Personal

Ross' fiancée is Sanya Richards, the world's top-ranked female 400m runner and fellow University of Texas student. [ [http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft07/news/story?id=2822133 Track star girlfriend pushes Texas' Ross] ]

References