2024 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Roderick Ross Jr., OL, Wingate University

• Name: Roderick Ross Jr
• Position: OL
• College: Wingate University
• Height: 6’3″
• Weight: 310
• Twitter: Rozay_75
• Instagram: Rozay.75

What makes you a top prospect at your position in the 2024 NFL Draft? 

I am a versatile and hard-working offensive lineman that can play all five positions and I have played all 5 positions at the collegiate level. I do my job while on the field as well as making big plays and getting pancakes which ultimately leads to us scoring touchdowns.

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

I was first interested in the sport at the age of six when I began to play flag football. While playing flag I began to learn a lot more about the game and started playing tackle football once I was old enough for the youth league. 

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

I have a ton of resiliency and I am able to adapt to any situation quickly. I am flexible and can adjust to any mental, emotional, or physical challenge that may cross my path.

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

One cause in the world that I would donate to is to support injured military veterans and their families. We see so many veterans coming back from war injured or lost because they do not have any guidance or help and some do not have families to go back to that might be able to help them in their time of need. 

What is the best advice you have ever received?

The best advice I ever received was from my father, he told me, “no matter what you do in life, strive to be the absolute best at it.”

Who was your childhood hero?

My childhood hero was my mom because I saw her go through so much and no matter what she continues to push through everything with no complaints! She is the strongest, smartest, and toughest woman that I know. 

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

The most underrated teammate in our locker room is Trevor Grant. He plays wide receiver at Wingate, can get us a big play whenever we need it, is a great leader of his position group and keeps his head down while getting the job done. 

What is your biggest pet peeve?

My biggest pet peeve is someone not keeping their word or not doing something they said they were going to.

Overcoming adversity is what defines character, what was the hardest moment in your life to overcome?

The hardest moment for me in my life was when my aunt Wanda passed away because we were extremely close with each other. I remember picking her up on Sundays so we could go to church and she would always stay on me about my athletics and academics. Her passing was sudden and her funeral was on the exact same day as my high school graduation. This was the hardest moment that I have ever been through, but I know she is watching me from heaven and wants me to keep pushing and striving to be the very best that I can be. 

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

I grad-transferred to Wingate from UVA-Wise and it was one of the best decisions of my life. I came in and bought into the program and just went to work while learning a new playbook, playing hard and efficiently, and ultimately changing positions due to one of my teammates being injured. It is so special to me because I and all my teammates have such a special bond, a brotherhood that will last a lifetime. 

What is your favorite snack food?

My favorite snack food is pop corners chips.

What is the best part of football?

The best part of football is that feeling after playing a hard-fought game and you come out victorious and you know that you gave everything you had on that field.

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

I am a player that is going to show up when I am needed and perfect my role while steadily improving myself and raising the level of those around me. 

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

If I compared myself to one player in the NFL it would be Shaq Mason, because even though he might not have the ideal NFL size he still is a top-tier player that can play more than one position. 

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

My first choice would be Barack Obama because I want to ask him how he was running the country for eight years and what problems and adversity he faced and how he overcame them. My second choice would be Jason Kelce and I would ask him about many different football topics and how I can perfect my game and continue to get better as well as ask how it was to play against my brother in the Super Bowl. My third choice would be my Aunt Wanda, she played a huge role in my life and will forever remain in my heart and I miss her so much. I would ask her how she is doing and tell her thank you for everything she has ever done for me and that I am continuing to excel in my academics and athletics.