The NFL draft will take place on Thursday night in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and the lives of 32 prospects will forever be changed after they hear their name called as a first round selection.
Back in February at the scouting combine, former University of Washington wide receiver John Ross III shocked the world after he infamously broke Arizona Cardinals running back Chris Johnson’s 4.24 40-yard dash time, with a 4.22 time of his own.
Ross, 22, has been graded by many scouts as a first-round pick, and has proven to be a player who can take over a game as both a receiver, and special teams returner. In 2016, he led the Huskies to the Pac-12 championship, and was also named the conference’s offensive player of the year by the Associated Press.
Ahead of Thursday night’s event, where Ross will likely high-five NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after discovering his home for the next several seasons, we had the opportunity to speak with the speedster about breaking Johnson’s record, what it was like to be coached by Snoop Dogg, his taste in music, partnership with Old Spice on their ‘Hardest Working Collection’, and much more.
Jesse Pollock: Let’s talk about some of the work you’re doing with Old Spice. Can you provide some details about the hardest working collection line-up, and what separates it from other body washes?
John Ross: I’m definitely excited to work with Old Spice. I’ve been using the product for a long time and it’s exciting to finally partner up with them as they get me ready for the draft. The new Hydro Wash is leaving my skin feeling fresh, and like I said, I’m excited to just get this process started and be apart of Old Spice.
JP: Old Spice has gained tons of recognition from their incredible commercials. What would one featuring John Ross look like?
JR: Hopefully something to do with my speed (laughs). Especially with this hardest working collection. Maybe me working something with the Hydro Wash. Like I said, leaving my skin feeling fresh, and me running or something, something similar to that, something real creative. I know that it would be real creative.
JP: Get some cheetahs in there maybe? Usian Bolt, too? (laughs)
JR: Yeah, definitely something making me faster. (laughs)
JP: Speaking of your speed, you became the fastest player to ever run the 40-yard dash at the NFL combine. What was going on in your head before the race, during the race, and right after the race when you saw your time?
JR: I was so excited. I actually started to cramp up, so I had to kind of calm down and relax, and once I got in my stance I got real nervous. I just thought to myself, “be yourself and run”. That’s all I really had to do. Once I finished, I kind of felt like my time was going to be slow because I started to cramp up. They told me my time and I couldn’t believe it.
JP: I think a lot of people couldn’t believe it. You played defensive back as well for the University of Washington Huskies. How quickly do you think you could run the 40-yard dash backwards if you had to ballpark it?
JR: That’s a good question. (Pause) Maybe five seconds.
JP: Wow. That’s very impressive and faster than a lot of people can complete it running forward. You’re currently in Philadelphia for the draft. What has the past week been like for you?
JR: I haven’t really done too much of anything. I’ve just been in school and getting ready for the draft. Yesterday we just had orientations, but it’s definitely cool to be here. That’s the biggest thing. Actually being able to be here, with the guys, and to experience all of this.
JP: Scouts have compared you to Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver DeSean Jackson, and from what I’ve read, you guys are also close friends. Can touch on how your relationship began, and the impact that he’s had on your career?
JR: DeSean has always impacted my career because we come from the same area (Long Beach, California). I’ve got to watch DeSean since he was in high school. I always looked up to him and I’ve always been compared to who he was and how he played on the field. A few summers ago, we have mutual friends, my dad and him have mutual friends, so they started to talk, and we kind of got hooked up from there. We started to workout, and after we worked out the first time we started talking every week. Coming into game-time he was calling me, asking what I think, watching film and everything, and it just got better, each and every week. Our relationship just grew. We’re more like family than just friends.
JP: When you were younger, you played for Snoop Dogg in his youth football league. What is he like as a coach?
JR: Energetic. You’ll learn more than you think. I think people get misled by what he actually does for a career. He definitely takes his coaching job seriously. He’s always there for us and I think the support is better than what people would think. It helped us throughout our careers, and we can always go back to him for stuff, which is always great.
JP: What kind of music do you listen to before a game?
JR: I’m more of a mellow kind of guy, so I don’t really have a song list. I listen to R&B, let things smooth me out and calm down before I get too excited and riled up, and be someone that I’m not. I’m a big R&B guy.
JP: The Washington Capitals played against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round of the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs. As you know, hockey is our sport here in Canada. Did you get a chance to watch any of the series?
JR: Not really. I’ve been so busy with school and everything, the draft. I didn’t really get a chance.
JP: Have you ever played hockey before?
JR: Virtually. (Laughs)
JP: (Laughs). Which team do you use.
JR: I used to use the Red Wings.
JP: Any particular reason why?
JR: They used to have a lot of speed when I used to play with them, I used them all the time.
JP: Do you think you could go BarDown?
JR: Yeah, definitely. With some practice I think I could definitely get it.
