Devonte Ross is a wide receiver and 2026 NFL Draft prospect who finished his collegiate career at Penn State after spending three seasons at Troy University. A native of Cartersville, Georgia, Ross was a three-star recruit in the 2022 class who committed to Troy over a Kentucky offer and developed into one of the most productive receivers in the Sun Belt. After combining for 53 receptions over his first two seasons, Ross broke out as a junior in 2024, setting a Troy school record for receiving yards in a single game while finishing with 76 receptions for 1,043 yards and 11 touchdowns and leading the Sun Belt in touchdown catches. He transferred to Penn State for his senior season in 2025, where he recorded 36 catches for 501 yards and six touchdowns, contributing as a starter while adjusting to significantly reduced target share in a deeper and more run-oriented Nittany Lions offense. Over his collegiate career he accumulated 126 receptions for 2,532 yards and 29 touchdowns across both programs.
Measured at around 5-foot-10 and 170 pounds, Ross is a quick, slippery slot receiver with excellent short-area burst and the ability to generate yards after contact in the short and intermediate areas of the field. He averaged 8.5 yards after the catch per reception during his breakout 2024 season at Troy and earns elite grades at every level of the field on quick throws and screen concepts, suggesting his ability to create at the second and third levels of a defense. His slight frame raises durability questions at the professional level, and he will need to demonstrate he can win consistently against press coverage in the NFL. NFL evaluators project Ross as a Day 3 or priority undrafted free agent candidate with special teams value and the potential to develop into a productive slot option in an offense that features quick-rhythm passing and manufactured touches.
