2023 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Jonathan Ross, DE, University of South Florida

• Name: Jonathan Ross
• Position: Edge
• College: Graduated From Bowie State University transferred to the University Of South Florida
• Height: 6’3
• Weight: 245
• Twitter: @JRoozzzaayyy
• Instagram: @_snakemout10

What makes you a top prospect at your position in the 2023 NFL Draft?

How I use my cerebral thinking in my study of the game. More specifically, in me, the NFL will gain the body of a gifted athlete with the mind of a defensive coordinator.

At what age were you first interested in the sport of football?

When I was 5 years old I used to watch my brother play football and cry because I couldn’t participate.

What is one thing that NFL teams should know about you?

I believe my competitive nature gives me an edge above all other individuals. It promotes a determination to never quit. It causes me to welcome every challenge with a relentless pursuit to conquer and overcome.

If you could donate to one cause in the world, what would it be?

My donation would be to address the severe cause of homelessness in the United States. It is a well-known fact that a country such as ours with a wealth of resource and opportunity, also has one of the highest rates of homelessness in the world. My endeavor would be to address and reduce this occurrence here in the United States.

What is the best advice you have ever received?

Effort has nothing to do with talent. Which is between you and you.

-Ray Lewis motivational speech

Who was your childhood hero?

Ray Lewis

Who is the most underrated teammate in your locker room at your school?

Jatorian Hansford, Defensive end. His style of play has a tremendous impact on the team and yet his mannerism is very unassuming. He embraces the label as a role player.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

Overcoming adversity is what defines character

What was the hardest moment in your life to overcome?

The mid-point of entering the transfer portal and finishing up my undergrad degree in social work. I truly was tested and challenged to the max with meetings with coaches and the daily stresses of classwork. The gamble of entering the transfer portal was also challenging because there was no guarantee that I would be selected or garner any interest from Division One colleges.

Tell me something about your school and why it is so special to you?

I attend the University of South Florida (USF) but what really attracted me to this institution was the resources they provide. My familiarity was only with the resources and services offered at a Division Two (D2) university. At USF, the level of professionalism and the well-defined football program objective with excellent support staff is a clear game changer for me.

What is your favorite snack food?

Golden Oreos.

What is the best part of football?

If i had to choose one thing it would be making a huge play for a tackle for loss.

If you could sell yourself in one sentence, what would you say?

The strengths and weaknesses of my competitive nature are the force behind my desire to succeed in life.

If you could compare your play to one player in the NFL who would it be?

 Ray Lewis is one of my favorite players because he always preached about effort and never giving up. His story also inbred me when I was younger all the way up until today in the aspect of effort you seen for the next level. And lastly, Von Miller is one of the best edge rushers of all time and he is very seasoned in knowledge. Talking to him could also set me up for success.

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would it be and why?

Aaron Donald,  Ray Lewis, and Von Miller. Each one of these players have impacted my game just by me studying everything they have done. Aaron Donald is arguably the best defensive player in NFL history, so picking his brain for tools would take my game to the next level.