Josh Ross

Josh Ross Bio

Josh Ross is an American professional football linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). Born on October 31, 1999, in Detroit, Michigan, Ross emerged as a notable college defender at the University of Michigan before entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2022. Standing at 6 feet 0 inches and weighing 229 pounds, Ross has built his professional career through perseverance and versatility, having played for three NFL franchises in his first four seasons. His journey from a highly-touted high school recruit to a professional linebacker reflects his dedication to the sport and ability to overcome adversity, including injuries that interrupted his early professional career.

Early Life and Background

Josh Ross grew up in Southfield, Michigan, where he attended St. Mary\’s Preparatory school. During his senior season at St. Mary\’s, Ross delivered a standout performance that caught the attention of major college programs. He recorded 142 tackles with 20 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries. His exceptional production earned him recognition as a four-star recruit, placing him among the top prospects in the country at his position.

Ross\’s impressive high school career attracted scholarship offers from several prestigious programs, including Ohio State, Michigan State, and Notre Dame. Ultimately, he chose to stay close to home and committed to play college football at the University of Michigan, joining the Michigan Wolverines program with high expectations surrounding his potential.

Path to the NFL

Upon arriving at Michigan, Ross immediately contributed as a true freshman, playing in all 13 of Michigan\’s games during the 2017 season, primarily on special teams. His adaptability and football intelligence allowed him to find the field early in his collegiate career, setting the foundation for increased responsibilities in subsequent years.

As a sophomore in 2018, Ross continued his development by appearing in all of the team\’s games and earned honorable mention All-Big Ten Conference honors after finishing the season with 61 tackles and one sack. His consistency and ability to make plays in various situations became defining characteristics of his game. During his junior season, Ross earned starting assignments in the first three games before suffering an ankle injury that caused him to miss the remainder of the regular season, an setback that tested his resilience and commitment to returning to full strength.

Josh Ross Career

Michigan Wolverines (2017–2021)

Ross remained determined to contribute at the highest collegiate level, and his senior season in 2020 demonstrated his perseverance. Despite the Big Ten Conference\’s COVID-19-shortened season, Ross started all six of Michigan\’s games and recorded 53 tackles, again earning honorable mention all-conference recognition. His decision to return for a fifth season as a graduate student proved transformative for his career trajectory.

In his final collegiate season in 2021, Ross experienced his most productive year statistically, recording 106 tackles with nine tackles for loss. His exceptional performance earned him third-team All-Big Ten honors, validating his decision to return for an additional year and solidifying his standing as one of Michigan\’s reliable defensive players during his five-year tenure with the Wolverines program.

Professional Career

Despite his productive college career, Ross went undrafted in the 2022 NFL Draft. His professional dreams remained alive when he signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent on May 7, 2022. The signing represented an opportunity for Ross to prove himself at the sport\’s highest level despite not hearing his name called during the draft process.

Ross impressed coaches during training camp and made the Ravens\’ initial 53-man roster, a significant achievement for any rookie, particularly an undrafted player. However, his rookie season faced immediate challenges when he suffered a foot injury in Week 2 of the 2022 season. The injury proved serious enough to require placement on injured reserve on September 19, 2022, ending his first NFL season before it truly began. Ross was designated to return from injured reserve on December 20, 2022, though he did not appear in additional games that year.

Baltimore Ravens Era (2022–2024)

The 2023 season brought roster instability for Ross with the Ravens organization. On August 29, 2023, Ross was waived by the Ravens but quickly re-signed to the practice squad, allowing him to remain with the team and continue developing his craft. His persistence paid off when he signed a reserve/future contract with Baltimore on January 29, 2024, securing his place on the team for the following season.

The 2024 season followed a similar pattern of roster transactions. Ross was waived on August 27, 2024, re-signed to the practice squad, and then promoted to the active roster on September 5. He appeared in games for the Ravens before being waived again on October 22, 2024, ultimately leading to the next chapter of his professional journey.

Seattle Seahawks (2024)

Ross\’s professional persistence continued when he was claimed off waivers by the Seattle Seahawks on October 23, 2024. The opportunity allowed him to continue his NFL career with a new organization. On March 21, 2025, Ross re-signed with the Seahawks to a one-year contract, indicating the team\’s interest in retaining his services for the 2025 season. However, he was waived on August 26, 2025, as part of final roster cuts, concluding his tenure with Seattle.

Minnesota Vikings (2025–Present)

Despite being waived by Seattle, Ross continued his professional career by signing with the Minnesota Vikings practice squad on December 10, 2025. The move to Minnesota provided another opportunity for the linebacker to contribute at the NFL level. His perseverance and ability to find roster spots demonstrated the value teams placed on his versatility and special teams abilities. Ross signed a reserve/future contract with Minnesota on January 5, 2026, securing his place on the Vikings roster for the upcoming season and beyond.

Playing Style and Strengths

Ross has developed a reputation as a reliable and versatile linebacker capable of contributing in multiple defensive schemes. His collegiate experience at Michigan exposed him to a high-level defensive system that prepared him for the complexities of NFL offenses. Ross\’s ability to play on special teams has been a significant factor in his ability to remain on NFL rosters, as special teams contributions often determine which players earn and maintain roster spots in the competitive professional environment.

Notable Career Milestones

Throughout his career, Ross has demonstrated resilience in overcoming adversity, most notably returning from a significant foot injury suffered early in his rookie season with the Ravens. His journey through three NFL organizations in his first four professional seasons reflects both the competitive nature of the league and his determination to maintain an NFL career. Making an NFL roster as an undrafted free agent represents a significant accomplishment that only a small percentage of players achieve, highlighting Ross\’s football acumen and physical abilities.

Josh Ross Career Statistics

Ross has accumulated limited but meaningful NFL statistics through his first seasons in the league. His career has been characterized by consistency at the collegiate level with Michigan and a journeyman approach in the professional ranks, where he has sought opportunities to contribute whenever roster spots became available.

College Highlights (Michigan)

During his five seasons at Michigan, Ross established himself as a durable and productive defender. His career totals included significant tackle numbers across multiple seasons, with his senior campaign in 2021 representing his most prolific statistical year. Ross earned third-team All-Big Ten honors in 2021 and received honorable mention All-Big Ten recognition in both 2018 and 2020, demonstrating consistent performance throughout his collegiate career. His ability to remain healthy and contribute across five seasons provided a strong foundation for his transition to professional football.

Professional NFL Statistics

Through the 2025 season, Ross has recorded 11 total tackles at the NFL level. His limited statistical output reflects the challenges faced by backup linebackers and special teams players in earning significant defensive playing time. Despite modest numbers, Ross\’s continued presence on NFL rosters indicates that teams value his contributions in areas beyond traditional defensive statistics, such as special teams play and positional versatility.

Josh Ross Family

Family Background and Racing Lineage

Public information regarding Josh Ross\’s family background, including his parents, siblings, or any family connection to professional athletics, is not extensively documented in available sources. Ross has maintained relative privacy regarding his family life, focusing public attention on his athletic achievements rather than personal family details.

Personal Life

Ross\’s personal life beyond his football career remains largely private, with limited public information available regarding his marital status, relationships, or family. He continues to maintain an active presence on social media, where he shares glimpses of his professional journey and football-related content with his followers. Ross completed his undergraduate degree and pursued graduate studies during his fifth season at Michigan, demonstrating his commitment to academic pursuits alongside his athletic career.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 NFL season represented a transitional year for Josh Ross in several respects. After beginning the season with the Seattle Seahawks, where he re-signed in March on a one-year contract, Ross was waived in late August as part of the team\’s final roster reductions. The waiver marked another chapter in Ross\’s journeyman NFL career, demonstrating the competitive challenges faced by players seeking to establish themselves at the professional level.

Despite being released by Seattle, Ross found another opportunity relatively quickly, signing with the Minnesota Vikings practice squad on December 10, 2025. The late-season addition to the Vikings roster provided Ross with a fresh start and the chance to continue developing within a new defensive system. His ability to secure a roster spot with a third NFL team within a single season speaks to both his talent and the league\’s appreciation for his special teams capabilities and positional versatility.

Ross concluded the 2025 season by signing a reserve/future contract with Minnesota on January 5, 2026, ensuring his place on the Vikings roster heading into the following season. The contract represented a vote of confidence from the Vikings organization and provided Ross with stability as he prepares for the next chapter of his professional career. Looking ahead, Ross will aim to earn increased defensive responsibilities with the Vikings while continuing to contribute on special teams, areas that have defined his NFL career to this point.