Ryan Ross broke into TCNJ’s lineup last in 2004 and appeared in eight games as a wide receiver. Over the course of the campaign, he hauled in four catches for 96 yards, including a long of 35 yards in the season opener at SUNY Cortland. He added a 27 yard pick in the win over Southern Virginia to his resume and capped the season off with two catches for 34 yards as the Lions fell to Brockport State.
With some experience under his belt, Ross saw a great deal more time in the fall of 2005 and made an impact for the Lions as he filled some graduation voids and helped the team retool its offense. By year’s end, he was named to the NJAC’s All-Star Honorable Mention Team and the recipient of the Coach Paul “Bones” Vichroski Award for versatility and the 2005 recipient of the Iron Lion Award.
Tapped as the Lions’ team captain for 2006, Ross brings some impressive numbers into the season after averaging 88.7 all-purpose yards per game last year, which was sixth best in the league. He had a catch in every game last fall and finished with a team-high 41 catches for 614 yards with three touchdowns. He also ranked seventh in the NJAC in receptions per game with 4.1, while ranking fourth in receiving yards per game with 61.4 as well. Ross added punt return duties to his resume as well and by season’s end was ranked 42nd nationally with his 11.0 yards per return on 19 carries with 209 yards, including a long of 80 yards for a touchdown against Rowan. In that contest with the Profs, Ross netted 145 all-purpose yards and by season’s end had five 100 plus all-purpose performances including a career-best 160 yards in the Lions’ win over LaSalle. He was part of the Lions’ special teams unit that finished the season ranked No. 45 in the nation in punt return average with an 11.25 per punt return average.
In only 18 games played, Ross has already amassed 983 career all-purpose yards with 24 points and has 710 career receiving yards on 45 catches.
A graduate of Pompton Lakes High School, Ross excelled in three sports scholastically, football, basketball and baseball and was cited by the National Honor Society. A health and exercise science major at TCNJ, Ross graduated in May of 2006 after earning selections to the Dean’s List as well three selections to TCNJ’s Scholar-Athlete Honor listing and a spot on the 2005-2006 NJAC Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll.
Year By Year Statistics
Year G Rec. Yds. TD Long Rec. Yds/Game Pts. Punt Returns Yds. Long All-Purpose Yds.
2004 8 4 96 0 35 24.0 0 0 0 0 96
2005 10 41 614 3 67 61.4 24 19 209 80 887
Totals 18 45 710 3 67 39.4 24 19 209 80 983
