Clemson's top receiver Justyn Ross to undergo surgery, miss 2020 season

Bill Bender

Clemson's top receiver Justyn Ross to undergo surgery, miss 2020 season image

Clemson receiver Justyn Ross will miss the 2020 season because of a neck and spine injury. 

Coach Dabo Swinney announced the injury in a teleconference Monday. The Athletic reports Ross will have surgery Friday. 

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Swinney also said there is no guarantee Ross will be able to play football again. Ross was ranked No. 7 on Sporting News' top 50 big board for the 2021 NFL Draft. 

That is a significant blow for Clemson, which is ranked No. 1 in SN's preseason top 25

Ross emerged as one of the best deep-threat receivers in the FBS the past two seasons. He caught 46 passes for 1,000 yards and nine TDs as a freshman, and he had 66 catches for 865 yards and eight TDs as a sophomore. He was expected to be Trevor Lawrence’s No. 1 target in the passing game for the Tigers. 

Bill Bender

Bill Bender Photo

Bill Bender graduated from Ohio University in 2002 and started at The Sporting News as a fantasy football writer in 2007. He has covered the College Football Playoff, NBA Finals and World Series for SN. Bender enjoys story-telling, awesomely-bad 80s movies and coaching youth sports.