Ross not only excelled as a cover cornerback for the Longhorns, but was also a standout as a punt returner, scoring three times on 76 runbacks during his career. His natural hands were evident, as he also deflected 33 passes and intercepted 10 others. Despite only one full season as a starter, he also generated 205 career tackles.

At John Tyler High School, Ross competed as a cornerback, wide receiver and running back during his three-year career. He was tabbed second-team Class 5A All-State after posting six interceptions, three fumble recoveries, three blocked kicks and allowing just one touchdown reception as a senior. He also returned a fumble and a blocked punt for a score in 2000, adding 350 rushing yards (on 46 carries) and five touchdowns and caught five passes for 200 yards and two scores that year.

Ross posted a career-high 362 all-purpose yards against Katy as a senior and registered three interceptions while rushing for a touchdown against Lufkin. He added four interceptions, two fumble recoveries and seven blocked kicks as a junior, scoring a total of seven times on offense. His best game was against Marshall, when he amassed 272 all-purpose yards, rushed for a pair of touchdowns and had an interception.

As a sophomore, Ross played at San Antonio Fox Tech. He rushed for 486 yards and nine touchdowns and caught 11 passes for 382 yards and three scores on offense. He also intercepted five passes and blocked 10 kicks. During his time at both schools, he lettered four times as a sprinter in track & field and twice in basketball.

Ross enrolled at Texas in 2002, but was academically ineligible to play. He played in 13 games behind Nathan Vasher at left cornerback in 2003, coming up with 27 tackles (23 solos), a stop for a loss and two pass break-ups. He shared right cornerback duties with Tarell Brown in 2004, appearing in 12 contests. He recorded 36 tackles (28 solos) with an interception and three pass break-ups. He also averaged 7.6 yards on 18 punt returns.

As a junior, Ross earned All-Big 12 Conference honorable mention. He started two games at cornerback and ranked 10th in the nation with a 14.7-yard average on 34 punt returns, returning two for touchdowns. He also had three interceptions with nine pass break-ups. He ranked seventh on the team with 62 tackles (35 solos), adding two stops behind the line of scrimmage.

Finally a full-time starter in 2006, Ross made the most of this opportunity. He earned All-American and All-Big 12 Conference first-team honors, in addition to being named the Thorpe Award winner (nation's top defensive back). The Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year ranked third on the team with 80 tackles (59 solos). He added a sack, two stops for losses and 19 pass deflections. He caused three fumbles, recovered two and picked off six passes. He also scored once while averaging 10.4 yards on 23 punt returns.

In 51 games at Texas. Ross started 15 times. He registered 205 tackles (145 solos) with a one-yard sack, five stops for losses of 21 yards and a quarterback pressure. He caused three fumbles and recovered two others, returning one for a touchdown. Ross batted away 33 passes and intercepted 10 others for 111 yards in returns (11.1 avg). He also returned 76 punts for 893 yards (11.8 avg) and three scores, adding 53 yards on a pair of kickoff returns (26.5 avg).

Positives: Has as lean, yet athletic frame with room to add at least another 10 pounds of bulk without it affecting his quickness … Excellent playmaker with the ball in his hands on returns (punts, interceptions), as he has that explosive second gear and good forward body lean to hit the seams and gain long yardage … In the open field, he will generally win most foot races … Shows ease of movement agility working in space and has the balance and flexibility to redirect without having to gather … Shows the plant-and-drive agility to come out of his breaks cleanly … Competitive player who plays with an air of confidence … Not the most instinctive player on the field and is slow to diagnose plays, but shows good urgency to close once he locates the ball … Lacks good press coverage technique, but uses his speed well to mirror the receiver throughout the route … Is better in trail technique than in press, as he has the valid feet and loose hips to turn and run without breaking stride … Does a nice job of staying square in his backpedal, as long as he does not revert to a shuffle-and-bail technique (when he does this, he is slow turning on the ball) … Knows how to get vertical, flashing explosion and range with excellent catch-up quickness, showing improved feel for jumping on the cut in 2006 than he did in the past … Has the leaping ability and timing to get to the ball at its high point … Does a good job of tracking the ball in flight, demonstrating and explosive vertical leap to win most jump ball battles … Has the natural hands to extend for the ball outside the frame, but needs to secure it better before heading up field … Lacks the sand in his pants to stack and control in run support, but is willing to throw his body around … More of a grab, drag down tackler, but when he keeps his pads down he can generate some pop on contact … Has the second gear to elude in the open field on returns, reminding some of Chicago's Devin Hester for his ability to put on the afterburners and simply explode with the ball in his hands … Shows very good judgment picking a seam to gain big yardage on his runbacks.

Negatives: Lacks field intelligence and will bite on pump fakes and misdirection … Has a lean frame with marginal playing strength and needs to improve his training room habits (does what is asked, but needs structure) … Struggled with academics earlier and might have problems digesting a complicated playbook … Lacks the upper body strength and hand usage to disengage from blocks … Willing in run support, but will get walled off and washed out of the play in attempts to plug the inside lanes … Marginal tackler who prefers to take a side or grab rather than face up, wrap and secure … Generates a lot of pass interference penalties due to his penchant of constantly grabbing at the receiver's jersey heading down field … Lacks an ideal feel for seeing the plays develop and will need time to learn the proper techniques of diagnosing and reading keys … Has the speed to mirror receivers, but fails to generate the punch to press or the placement to reroute … When he uses a shuffle-and-bail technique, he is slow to come out of his breaks … Liability in zone coverage, as he is late to locate the ball and lacks a good feel for handling the switch-off … Needs to take better angles in attempts to close on the ball … Plays with good aggression, but will get out of control at times and then struggles to recover … Too much of a risk taker, doing a poor job of keeping plays in front of him.

Compares To: DEVIN HESTER-Chicago … A definite lack of man coverage technique, poor route recognition skills, hesitant in zone coverage, poor tackling form and marginal strength are some of the liabilities in these two players' games. Both are blessed with incredible quickness for the return games, but Ross is far from a finished product as a defender. Right now, he brings instant value as a returner and nickel back, but he will need a few years to see if he ever develops into a quality cover defender. There is a lot of Deltha O'Neal in this kid and if you need a shutdown cornerback, you are advised to look elsewhere. In his only year as a starter in 2006, he won the Thorpe Award as the nation's top defensive back, but nothing could be further from the truth. The media seems to get enamored by big returners and pass thieves and Ross is both of those. However, he allowed 51 receptions for 701 yards (13.7 avg) and five touchdowns in 2006, as 20 of those catches resulted in first downs and 16 were for 10 yards or longer. In addition, he fumbled twice and was penalized four times.

Ross' 34 punt returns in 2005 rank eighth on the school's single-season record list … His 76 punt returns rank sixth on the Longhorns' career record chart, topped by Johnnie Johnson (113, 1976-79), Eric Metcalf (101, 1985-88), Mike Adams (97, 1992-96), Nathan Vasher (94, 2000-03) and Hodges Mitchell (77, 1997-00) … Became only the third player in Texas annals to gain 500 yards on punt returns in a season (2005), joining Vasher (554 in 2001) and Johnson (538 in 1977) … His career punt return total of 893 yards rank fourth in school history behind Vasher (1,314), Metcalf (1,076; 1985-88), Adams (1,060; 1992-96) and Johnson (1,004; 1977-79) … His average of 14.7 yards per punt return in 2005 rank fourth on the Longhorns' single-season record chart, topped by Bobby Dillon (22.3 avg in 1950), Dean Campbell (16.6 avg in 1971) and Vasher (15.0 avg in 2001) … His career average of 11.8 yards per punt return rank fourth in Texas history, surpassed by Bobby Dillon (17.2 avg, 1949-51), Vasher (14.0 avg, 2000-03) and Campbell (13.2 avg, 1970-71) … His 88-yard punt return against Missouri in 2005 was the third-longest in school history, ranking behind Bohn Hilliard (95 vs. Oklahoma in 1932) and Jim Moore (94 vs. Southern Methodist in 1973) … Ross' three punt returns for touchdowns tied the school career record that was first set by Jim Moore (1971-73) … His six interceptions in 2006 rank sixth on the Longhorns' single-season record list behind the seven registered by Vasher (2001), Jerry Gray (1984), William Graham (1981), Jack Crain (1940) and Noble Doss (1940) … His 19 pass deflections in 2006 rank seventh on the school's single-season record list behind Vasher (26 in 2003), Quentin Jammer (24 in 2001), Vance Bedford (22 in 1981), Rod Babers (21 in 2002), Mossy Cade (21 in 1983) and Jammer (20 in 2000).

All-American and unanimous All-Big 12 Conference first-team selection … Recipient of the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the nation's top defensive back … Earned Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year honors from the Dallas Morning News, Fort Worth Star-Telegram and San Antonio Express-News … Named the George "Hook" McCullough Co-MVP along with Colt McCoy … Tabbed the Mike Campbell Most Valuable Defensive Player and selected one of the Frank Denius Most Valuable Special Teams Players … Was voted captain by his teammates … Started all year at strong-side cornerback, ranking third on the team with a career-high 80 tackles (59 solos), including a 1-yard sack, two stops for minus 14 yards and one quarterback pressure … Caused three fumbles and recovered two others, advancing one 3 yards for a touchdown … Deflected 19 passes and intercepted six others for 7 yards in returns (1.2 avg) … Returned 23 punts for 240 yards (10.4 avg) and a touch-down, adding 27 yards on one kickoff return … Made 74 plays vs. the pass, registering 20 third-down stops (16 vs. the pass) and one more on fourth-down action … Produced three tackles on goal-line plays … Fumbled twice and was penalized four times … Saw his main pass coverage assignments total 51 catches for 701 yards (13.7 avg) and five touchdowns for the season … 20 of those receptions produced first downs, with 16 of those grabs good for 10 yards or longer, including five for 20+ yards.

North Texas … Opened the season with nine tackles (5 solos), including one that stopped tailback Jamario Thomas behind the line of scrimmage on a third-&-goal run three minutes into the first quarter … Tackled Joel Nwigwe on a third-&-16 catch that netted only 5 yards, forcing NTSU to punt, as Ross returned that kick 41 yards to set up Selvin Young's 1-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, making up for his first quarter punt return for a 15-yard loss, as he fumbled the ball and North Texas recovered it … Added a 31-yard punt return that set up a 10-yard touchdown run by Jamaal Charles in the third quarter … Main Pass Coverage Assignment-WR#49-Brandon Jackson-Two catches for 45 yards and a touchdown.

Ohio State … Ross faced a daunting task by having to cover All-American receiver Ted Ginn Jr., as the Buckeye beat him on the second play of the game for a 46-yard catch. Ginn was also successful on a third-&-3 7-yard pass from Troy Smith and then eluded Ross to close out that late second quarter 66-yard drive with a 29-yard scoring grab … Ross finished with six tackles (5 solos) and a pass break-up, adding 20 yards on two punt returns … As about how it felt to defend vs. Ginn and Ross replied, "He's a great athlete. I knew what I was getting into tonight, and I was up for the challenge. My hat is off to he and (Ohio State QB) Troy Smith. They have a great connection." … Ross was also penalized for grabbing Ginn's face mask in the second half … Main Pass Coverage Assignment-WR#7-Ted Ginn Jr.-Five catches for 97 yards and a touchdown.

Rice … Produced six tackles (4 solos) with a forced fumble and gained 58 yards with a touchdown on three punt returns … Raced 46 yards for a score on a second quarter punt return … Caused a fumble after receiver Jarrett Dillard caught a third-&-10 pass from Joel Armstrong, but Rice recovered the ball midway through the second quarter … Penalized for a flagrant hit he delivered on Dillard after a 13-yard catch at the start of the fourth quarter … Main Pass Coverage Assignment-WR#81-Jarrett Dillard-Seven catches for 80 yards.

Iowa State … Was beaten by Todd Blythe on a 6-yard scoring pass from Bret Meyer midway through the second quarter and on the next series, he was penalized for pass interference, but made up for those miscues when he returned an intercepted Meyer pass 6 yards at the start of the fourth quarter … With 1:20 left in the game, Ross knocked down a fourth-&-3 slant pass from Meyer … Finished the day with eleven tackles (9 solos) and six pass deflections, adding 21 yards on two punt returns … Main Pass Coverage Assignment-WR#81-Jon Davis-Six catches for 62 yards (also allowed a 6-yard touchdown by Blythe).

Sam Houston State … Had a 27-yard kickoff return and three tackles with an interception … Also caused a fumble when he knocked the ball out of the hands of Blake Martin on a 5-yard catch. The Longhorns recovered the ball, setting up Colt McCoy's 6-yard scoring pass to Nate Jones late in the first quarter … He intercepted a pass on the right sidelines at the UT 45, setting up McCoy's 42-yard touchdown pass to Limas Sweed with 0:18 left in the first half … Main Pass Coverage Assignment-WR#3-Brian Christian-Three catches for 16 yards.

Oklahoma … Totaled eight tackles (5 solos) with a fumble recovery, two interceptions and a pass break-up … Recovered a bad Sooners snap with 10:37 to play, returning the ball 3 yards for a touchdown … On Oklahoma's next drive, Ross picked off a Paul Thompson pass at the UT 12 … Main Pass Coverage Assignment-WR#4-Malcolm Kelly-Two catches for 31 yards.

Baylor … Posted four solo tackles with a 10-yard sack, two stops behind the line of scrimmage and two pass deflections … Tackled Thomas White for a 1-yard loss on a screen pass early in the second quarter and sacked Dominique Zeigler for a 10-yard loss with 5:33 left in the first half (receiver took a direct snap from center) … Main Pass Coverage Assignment-WR#7-Dominique Zeigler-Three catches for 39 yards.

Nebraska … Delivered six tackles (4 solos) with two pass deflections … Caused a fumble when he knocked the ball out of the hands of Terrence Nunn on a 9-yard catch and safety Marcus Griffin recovered it at the NU 45, setting up Ryan Bailey's 22-yard field goal for the Longhorns … Main Pass Coverage Assignment-WR#85-J.B. Phillips-Two catches for 12 yards.

Texas Tech … Followed with a fumble recovery, three pass deflections and five tackles (3 solos) … Batted away a third-&-1 pass thrown by QB Graham Harrell on the game's opening series … Recovered a fumble by Joel Filani, advancing the ball 5 yards, but Texas had 15 more yards tacked on to the play when Tech receiver Robert Johnson was penalized for grabbing Ross' face mask on the play. The field position set up Colt McCoy's 45-yard scoring strike to Limas Sweed with 2:15 remaining in the first half … Ross was penalized for pass interference on Tech's final drive of the first half and that penalty set up Harrell's 30-yard touchdown pass to Jarrett Hicks … Killed a late third quarter scoring drive when Ross batted away Harrell's third-&-22 pass intended for Johnson … Main Pass Coverage Assignment-WR#8-Joel Filani-Six catches for 79 yards.

Oklahoma State … Picked off a pass, deflected another and delivered four solo tackles … Early in the fourth quarter, Ross stepped in from of Bobby Reid's third-&-2 pass, but D'Juan Woods reached around to snatch the ball for a 7-yard gain. Reid attempted the same throw on the next play, but Ross intercepted the ball at the OSU 10 for a 1-yard return, setting up a 9-yard touchdown run by Jamaal Charles … Main Pass Coverage Assignment-WR#84-D'Juan Woods-Three catches for 51 yards.

Kansas State … Ross struggled all day in a 45-42 upset loss, as KSU's Yamon Figurs torched the Thorpe Award winner on two touchdown passes … Ross registered nine tackles (7 solos) with a pass deflection and returned two kickoffs for 25 yards … Figurs beat Ross on a 36-yard scoring strike from Josh Freeman midway through the first quarter … He killed a late first quarter drive by deflecting Freeman's third-&-10 pass intended for Figurs … That Wildcats duo would then beat Ross on a 30-yard scoring pass with less than a minute left in the third quarter … Main Pass Coverage Assignment-WR#16-Yamon Figurs-Six catches for 123 yards and two touchdowns.

Texas A&M … Posted six tackles (4 solos) and returned three punts for 19 yards … Main Pass Coverage Assignment-WR#14-Chad Schroeder-One catch for 15 yards.

Iowa (Alamo Bowl) … Closed out his career with three solo tackles, an interception, a pass deflection and two punt returns for minus one yard, but was penalized once and also fumbled … Deflected a Drew Tate third-&-8 pass late in the first quarter … Early in the third quarter, Ross fumbled a punt return and Iowa recovered it at the UT 35 … Penalized for roughing the passer on Tate's 13-yard toss to Trey Stross with ten minutes left to play … Main Pass Coverage Assignment-WR#88-Dominique Douglas-Three catches for 40 yards.

All-Big 12 Conference honorable mention as a punt returner … Played in thirteen games, starting at right cornerback vs. Louisiana-Lafayette and at left cornerback vs. Baylor … Ranked tenth in the nation with a 14.7-yard average on 34 punt returns, gaining 500 yards with a pair of touchdowns … Recorded 62 tackles (35 solos) with two stops for losses of 4 yards … Had nine pass deflections and three interception returns for 40 yards … Added nine special team tackles.

Louisiana-Lafayette … Made two tackles with a 4-yard interception return and gained 106 yards on five punt returns.

Ohio State … Tackled tailback Antonio Pittman for a 3-yard loss and posted six hits (4 solos).

Missouri … Returned four punts for 129 yards, including an 88-yard touchdown and was in on two tackles, earning Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week honors.

Oklahoma … Deflected two passes and delivered six tackles (5 solos).

Texas Tech … Registered another six tackles (5 solos) and gained 18 yards on a punt return.

Colorado … Returned an interception 5 yards and posted three tackles.

Oklahoma State … Added five solo tackles and an 18-yard punt return.

Baylor … Totaled 67 yards on four punt returns and was in on four tackles (2 solos).

Kansas … Picked off a pass for a 31-yard return, gained 79 yards on three punt returns, including a 71-yard touchdown and deflected a pass.

Southern California (Rose Bowl) … Recorded eight tackles (6 solos), including one that stopped Steve Smith for a 1-yard loss on a screen pass and returned three punts for 21 yards.

Played behind Tarell Brown at weak-side cornerback, recording 36 tackles (28 solos) with three pass deflections and a 64-yard interception return … Added 26 yards on a kickoff return and totaled 136 yards on 18 punt returns (7.6 avg).

Posted three tackles vs. Arkansas … Made four tackles vs. Rice … Tallied four tackles and a pass break-up vs. Baylor … Recorded five tackles and a deflected pass vs. Oklahoma … Had a single-season high eight tackles and his first career interception, returning the ball 64 yards to the Missouri 12, leading to a UT touchdown and a 21-14 lead vs. Missouri … Had three tackles and a pass break-up vs. Texas Tech … Posted two tackles in each of the Colorado, Oklahoma State, Kansas and Michigan (Rose Bowl) clashes.

Played in thirteen games behind Nathan Vasher at left cornerback … Collected 27 tackles (23 solos) with a stop for a 3-yard loss … Returned one punt 17 yards and deflected two passes … Added eleven more tackles on special teams, earning UT's Outstanding Defensive Newcomer honors.

Recorded three tackles in each of the Rice and Iowa State games … Had a single-season high five solo tackles vs. Baylor … Notched two tackles vs. Washington State in the Holiday Bowl.

OFF-FIELD INCIDENT

12/22/06 … Ross was taken to a hospital after police and Emergency Medical Service personnel became concerned by Ross' disoriented demeanor at a Pflugerville restaurant. Ross was evaluated at St. David's Hospital in Austin by staff doctors and Texas team trainer Kenny Boyd and was released. "I really don't remember that much," Ross said in a statement released by Texas. "I remember getting in the car to head to practice, and I must have fallen asleep and run off the road. I was pretty shook up and out of it. But they checked me out at the hospital and I'm OK. I feel lucky that I didn't hurt anyone else or myself."

No injuries reported.

Campus: 4.45 in the 40-yard dash … 275-pound bench press … 425-pound squat … 272-pound power clean … 35.5-inch vertical jump.

Combine: 4.54 in the 40-yard dash … 1.58 10-yard dash … 2.63 20-yard dash … 4.15 20-yard shuttle … 6.67 three-cone drill … 34-inch vertical jump … 9'10" broad jump … Bench pressed 225 pounds 17 times.

Attended John Tyler (Tyler, Tex.) High School, playing football for head coach Allen Wilson … Competed as a cornerback, wide receiver and running back during his three-year career … Tabbed second-team Class 5A All-State after posting six interceptions, three fumble recoveries, three blocked kicks and allowing just one touchdown reception as a senior … Returned a fumble and a blocked punt for a score in 2000, adding 350 rushing yards (on 46 carries) and five touchdowns and caught five passes for 200 yards and two scores that year … Posted a career-high 362 all-purpose yards against Katy as a senior and registered three interceptions while rushing for a touchdown against Lufkin that season … Added four interceptions, two fumble recoveries and seven blocked kicks as a junior, scoring a total of seven times on offense … His best game was against Marshall, when he amassed 272 all-purpose yards, rushed for two touchdowns and had an interception … As a sophomore, Ross played at San Antonio Fox Tech … Rushed for 486 yards and nine touchdowns and caught 11 passes for 382 yards and three scores on offense … Intercepted five passes and blocked 10 kicks … During his time at both schools, he lettered four times as a sprinter in track-and-field and twice in basketball.

Education major … Active in UT's community service program, serving as a summer camp counselor (Camp Tyler Summer Camp) … Born Aaron Jermaine Ross on 9/15/82 in San Antonio, Texas … Resides in Tyler, Texas.