HOOVER, Ala. — There weren’t lights, cameras, and reporters in Fred Ross’ face as he prepared for the 2015 season.
Even though the Mississippi State wide receiver was poised for a breakout season, the hype wasn’t there. Instead, quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver De’Runnya Wilson had to deal with the majority of the attention.
Ross capitalized on his situation and went on to lead the Southeastern Conference in receptions.
“It doesn’t bother me,” Ross said of the lack of attention. “I know what I can do as a football player. I don’t discourage myself because I know what I can do.”
Entering this season, Ross has received and will continue to get attention. His first taste came Tuesday, when Ross and MSU teammates Richie Brown and A.J. Jefferson were center stage at the Southeastern Conference Media Days. When Ross made it to the big room, he was mobbed.
Ross was asked about being in the spotlight following the graduation of Prescott and Wilson. Without sounding pompous or arrogant, Ross said he is focused on team success, not personal achievements, but he knows he will be an integral part of the Bulldogs’ success.
“If that’s me having 10 catches, that’s how it’s going to have to be,” Ross said. “But I’m not really focused on myself.”
After showing flashes as a freshman and as a sophomore, the Tyler, Texas, native broke single-season school records for receptions (88), 100-yard games (five), and consecutive 100-yard games (four). He was fourth in the league with 1,007 yards and had five touchdown catches. He also rushed for a touchdown and returned a punt for a score.
In the spring, Ross’ confidence was high as he looked to build on the performance, but groin surgery forced him to miss all of spring practice.
“It was tough because I see those guys out there working hard and I want to be out there with my teammates,” Ross said. “I knew I couldn’t in that situation, so it was definitely discouraging. Those guys, those receivers, they’re a great group of guys, and they kept me motivated and they kept my head up.
“It kind of told me to never take anything for granted. Anything can happen and this game can be taken away from you fast.”
Ross said he has started running again and can play football. He feels he should be ready to go when fall camp starts.
Along with losing Prescott and Wilson, the Bulldogs will be without wide receiver Fred Brown, who was dismissed from MSU for undisclosed reasons. Brown had 27 catches for 412 yards and three touchdowns last season.
With a quarterback battle and questions surrounding the running backs, Ross is expected to be a focal point of the offense. Richie Brown feels like there is a lot of improvement in Ross’ future.
“He’s very smart, he knows his plays, he knows his routes, and I think he’ll have a great season this year,” Brown said. “He’s been working really hard this summer, so I expect to see big things from him.”
Ross has played outside and inside wide receiver, but he has been mainly used as a slot receiver at MSU. In the last three seasons, Wilson was the big threat on the outside. Ross said the coaches haven’t told him where he will play this season, but he is comfortable anywhere.
“Having a guy like Fred that understands the offense, can play multiple wide receiver positions and a great playmaker, I think it will help take a lot of pressure off the quarterbacks,” MSU football coach Dan Mullen said. “We’re going to need him to do that for these guys to get comfortable and get more experience in games.”
Ross said his first priority is to be 100 percent so he can have a big season. He didn’t list any things he needs to do to build to keep the spotlight on him.
“I just have to do my job, not trying to do too much and just playing football,” Ross said. “Hopefully I can keep it up.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Ben Wait on Twitter @bcwait
Ben Wait reports on Mississippi State University sports for The Dispatch.
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