D’Angelo Ross Bio
D’Angelo Julius Skyler Ross (born October 29, 1996) is an American professional football cornerback for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). The 5-foot-9-inch, 190-pound defensive back played college football at Fullerton College and the University of New Mexico before signing as an undrafted free agent with the New England Patriots in 2019. Ross has appeared on rosters for the Patriots, Miami Dolphins, and Houston Texans throughout his NFL career, earning recognition for a historic playoff defensive two-point conversion in January 2025.
Early Life and Background
D’Angelo Ross was born on October 29, 1996, in La Puente, California. He grew up in West Covina, California, as one of five children in the Ross family. His parents are Daniel Ross and Wendy Ross. Ross attended South Hills High School in West Covina during his teenage years, where he began developing the athletic skills that would eventually carry him to the professional level. His upbringing in the Los Angeles area provided him with exposure to competitive football environments common in Southern California high schools.
Ross graduated from South Hills High School determined to pursue higher education and football at the collegiate level. After high school, he enrolled at Fullerton College in 2015, beginning his journey through the American football ranks at the junior college level before transferring to a four-year university program.
Path to Professional Football
Ross spent his first two years of college football at Fullerton College from 2015 to 2016. In 25 career games at Fullerton, he recorded 8 interceptions and demonstrated consistent playmaking ability in the secondary. His sophomore season performance was particularly impressive, earning him first-team All-SCFA National Division honors. The experience at Fullerton College helped refine his technique and provided him with the foundation needed to transition to Division I football.
Seeking to continue his development at the highest collegiate level, Ross transferred to the University of New Mexico for his final two seasons of college eligibility from 2017 to 2018. He appeared in 24 games across his junior and senior seasons with the New Mexico Lobos. His junior campaign saw him record 28 total tackles with 11 pass deflections, showcasing his ability to cover receivers effectively. Ross elevated his play as a senior, accumulating 57 total tackles along with 6 pass deflections, 1 interception, and 1 forced fumble. Despite not receiving an invitation to the NFL Scouting Combine, Ross posted an impressive 4.32-second 40-yard dash at New Mexico’s pro day, demonstrating the speed that would help him compete at the professional level. He graduated with a degree in business administration from the University of New Mexico in December 2018.
D’Angelo Ross Career
New England Patriots (2019–2021)
On May 2, 2019, Ross signed with the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent following the 2019 NFL Draft. His journey with the Patriots began with promise, but he faced an early setback when he was placed on injured reserve on August 12, 2019, during his rookie training camp. This injury prevented him from seeing game action during his inaugural professional season. Ross spent the remainder of the 2019 season on injured reserve while continuing to develop within the Patriots organization.
The 2020 season brought a series of roster transactions for Ross. On September 5, 2020, the Patriots released him, but he was signed to the practice squad the following day, keeping his NFL dreams alive. On January 2, 2021, Ross was elevated to the active roster for the team’s Week 17 matchup against the New York Jets, providing him with his first taste of regular-season NFL action. He reverted to the practice squad following the game. Ross signed a reserve/future contract with the Patriots on January 4, 2021, securing his place for the following season. However, his time in New England ended when he was released on September 1, 2021, and re-signed to the practice squad.
Miami Dolphins (2022)
Ross joined the Miami Dolphins on January 25, 2022, signing a reserve/future contract. The opportunity with the Dolphins represented a fresh start and a chance to compete for a roster spot in a new defensive system. However, his tenure in Miami was brief and不幸. Ross was waived/injured on August 29, 2022, and placed on injured reserve. He was released from injured reserve on September 1, ending his time with the Dolphins before the regular season began.
Despite the setback, Ross continued pursuing his NFL career. In November 2022, he was selected by the St. Louis BattleHawks in the 2023 XFL draft, indicating interest from alternative professional football leagues. However, Ross chose to continue pursuing opportunities in the NFL rather than taking his talents to the XFL at that time.
Houston Texans (2022–2025)
Ross signed with the Houston Texans practice squad on November 22, 2022, beginning an extended tenure with the organization that would span nearly three seasons. He signed another reserve/future contract with the Texans on January 10, 2023, indicating the team’s interest in developing him further. The 2023 season proved challenging, as Ross was released by the Texans on August 29, 2023, as part of final roster cuts before being re-signed to the practice squad on September 21. He was promoted to the active roster on October 18 but waived just five days later on October 23, then re-signed to the practice squad the following day. Ross was promoted back to the active roster on November 4, demonstrating the fluctuation common for players on roster bubbles.
The 2024 season brought continued roster instability for Ross with the Texans. On July 18, 2024, he was placed on the active/physically unable to perform (PUP) list, missing the beginning of training camp. He was released on August 27 and re-signed to the practice squad the following day. Ross was promoted to the active roster on September 18 but waived again on November 9, re-signing to the practice squad two days later. Despite the roster uncertainty, Ross saved his most memorable professional moment for the 2024 season playoffs.
On January 11, 2025, in a Wild Card game victory against the Los Angeles Chargers, Ross returned a blocked PAT for a defensive two-point conversion. This historic play marked the first time such a feat had occurred in the playoffs since the two-point conversion rule was implemented in 2015, cementing Ross’s name in NFL playoff history. On August 26, 2025, Ross was released by the Texans as part of final roster cuts before re-signing to the practice squad the following week.
Cleveland Browns Era (2025–Present)
On November 19, 2025, Ross was signed by the Cleveland Browns off the Texans practice squad, providing him with a new opportunity and a fresh start in the second half of the 2025 season. The Browns recognized his abilities and brought him into their defensive secondary rotation. On March 17, 2026, Ross re-signed with the Browns, indicating the team’s satisfaction with his contributions and their interest in maintaining continuity in their defensive backfield.
Defensive Style and Strengths
Ross brings elite speed to the cornerback position, demonstrated by his 4.32-second 40-yard dash time recorded at New Mexico’s pro day. His compact 5-foot-9-inch frame allows him to change direction quickly and stay with agile receivers in man coverage situations. Ross has shown competence in both zone and man coverage schemes throughout his journeyman NFL career, adapting to different defensive philosophies with multiple organizations. His instincts in the passing game are evidenced by his career pass deflection totals, and he has demonstrated the ability to contribute on special teams units.
Notable Events and Milestones
The defining moment of Ross’s professional career came in the 2024 NFL playoffs when he returned a blocked extra point attempt for a defensive two-point conversion in the Texans’ Wild Card victory over the Los Angeles Chargers on January 11, 2025. This play achieved historical significance as the first defensive two-point conversion recorded in the playoffs since the NFL adopted the two-point conversion rule in 2015. The moment provided Ross with national recognition after years of bouncing between practice squads and active rosters across multiple organizations.
D’Angelo Ross Career Statistics
Throughout his NFL career spanning from 2019 through the 2025 season, Ross has appeared in limited game action while continuing to develop as a professional cornerback. His career has been characterized by perseverance through roster transactions and injuries, culminating in his playoff heroics with the Texans.
Career Highlights
Ross’s most significant career achievement remains his historic defensive two-point conversion in the January 2025 Wild Card game against the Los Angeles Chargers. Beyond that memorable play, Ross has accumulated 33 career tackles and 4 pass deflections across his time with the Patriots, Dolphins, Texans, and Browns. His college career at Fullerton and New Mexico provided the foundation for his professional opportunities, with his 8 interceptions at Fullerton College and continued production at New Mexico demonstrating his ball skills and playmaking ability.
Notable Achievements
Ross earned first-team All-SCFA National Division honors during his sophomore season at Fullerton College in 2016. His speed times at New Mexico’s pro day, particularly the 4.32-second 40-yard dash, generated attention from NFL scouts despite his undrafted status. His playoff defensive two-point conversion in January 2025 stands as a unique NFL achievement unlikely to be duplicated, making him a part of league history.
D’Angelo Ross Family
Family Background
Ross was born to Daniel Ross and Wendy Ross in La Puente, California. He is one of five children in the Ross family, growing up in a household that valued athletics and education. His father, Daniel Ross, and mother, Wendy Ross, supported his football ambitions from his early days at South Hills High School through his collegiate career at Fullerton and New Mexico. The family environment provided a stable foundation for Ross’s pursuit of a professional football career.
Personal Life
Ross graduated from the University of New Mexico in December 2018 with a degree in business administration, demonstrating his commitment to education alongside athletics. He remains active on social media under the handle dross_38 on Instagram. Information regarding a spouse or children has not been publicly disclosed, and Ross maintains a relatively private personal life away from the football field.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a significant transition for Ross, who began the year with the Houston Texans before joining the Cleveland Browns in November. His season storyline centers on perseverance and late-season opportunity. After being released by the Texans in August as part of final roster cuts, Ross re-signed to their practice squad and continued working toward another opportunity. The Browns recognized his abilities and signed him to their active roster mid-season, providing him with a chance to contribute to their defensive efforts.
Throughout the 2025 season, Ross brought experience and depth to whatever roster he was part of. His time with the Texans earlier in the season included continued development within their defensive scheme, while his addition to the Browns provided their secondary with another option at cornerback. The ability to bounce back from roster releases and continue pursuing NFL opportunities exemplifies Ross’s mental toughness and dedication to his craft. His contract extension with the Browns in March 2026 indicates the organization views him as a valuable piece of their defensive plans moving forward.