The rumors of Clemson star receiver Justyn Ross transferring out caught Tiger fans off-guard earlier in the week. However, the fans weren’t the only ones that were taken by surprise.
Ross himself said he doesn’t know how the rumor got started and it got to the point that he felt the need to shut the rumors down.
Dabo Swinney was also dumbfounded by the transfer talk. Appearing on WCCP’s Out of Bounds on Tuesday, Swinney said he didn’t even hear about it until late Monday, well after Ross addressed the situation on Twitter.
“I just kind of closed the door and locked myself in here yesterday (Monday), and I walked out at like 5:15,” Swinney said. “And I walked down the hall and just kind of was in there talking to (Tyler) Grisham and (C.J.) Spiller and Tony (Elliott) for a minute. I don’t even know how it came up. Next thing I know, Grisham is like, ‘Man, it’s crazy what’s going on with Justyn.’ And I’m like, ‘What’s going on with Justyn?’ So, I just kind of missed it all. He literally told me at like 5:15 last night. He said, ‘Well, apparently somebody started (rumors).’ I’m like, ‘What?’”
In true Swinney fashion, his reaction was unique, but one that most Clemson fans would absolutely agree with.
“I have no idea what planet that came from,” Swinney stated. “So, yeah, I’m just glad he’s still here. I guess that’s all good, but craziness.”
Ross missed all of last season recovering from a surgical procedure and it’s widely expected that he will be cleared in June and continue on his path back to playing for the Tigers.
Ross returning would be a huge help to a Clemson receiver room that has a lot of talent but still has a lot of room for growth. Outside of having a lot of talent himself, Ross can also help out with his experience.
Ross has produced at the highest levels during his Clemson career. As a freshman in 2018, the former five-star recruit from Alabama exploded in the College Football Playoff, helping lead the Tigers to blowout wins over Notre Dame and Alabama as Clemson won a national championship. In both games Ross made one highlight reel catch after the other.
He also helped lead Clemson to the 2019 national title game. That kind of experience can prove to be invaluable in a receiver room that while stacked with talent, is losing its top two wideouts from the 2020 season.
