D’Angelo Ross Bio
D’Angelo Julius Skyler Ross (born October 29, 1996) is an American professional football cornerback for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the New Mexico Lobos and signed as an undrafted free agent with the New England Patriots after the 2019 NFL draft.
Standing 5 feet 9 inches tall and weighing 186 pounds, Ross has built his career on speed, coverage instincts, and a willingness to contribute on special teams. Across stops in New England, Miami, Houston, and now Cleveland, he has worked his way from practice-squad contributor to dependable rotational defensive back.
Early Life and Background
D’Angelo Julius Skyler Ross was born on October 29, 1996, in La Puente, California. He is the son of Daniel Ross and Wendy Ross, and grew up as one of five children in a supportive household that encouraged athletic development from an early age. The Southern California setting gave him access to year-round football opportunities and a steady pipeline of competitive high school programs.
Ross attended South Hills High School in West Covine, California, where he developed into a reliable defensive back prospect. His performance in the secondary drew attention from junior college recruiters, and he ultimately chose Fullerton College to begin his collegiate career. The family remained a steady presence as he transitioned from high school standout to college athlete.
Path to American Football
Ross spent his first two college seasons at Fullerton College, where he appeared in 25 career games and developed into one of the most productive defensive backs in the program. He finished his Fullerton tenure with 8 interceptions and earned first-team All-SCFA National Division honors during his sophomore year, which helped him secure a transfer opportunity to a four-year program.
He transferred to the University of New Mexico, where he played the final two seasons of his college career and appeared in 24 games for the Lobos. In his junior campaign, Ross recorded 28 total tackles and 11 pass deflections. As a senior, he improved to 57 total tackles, 6 pass deflections, 1 interception, and 1 forced fumble. Although he was not invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, Ross posted a 4.32-second 40-yard dash at New Mexico’s pro day, a mark that caught the attention of NFL evaluators despite his under-the-radar draft profile.
D’Angelo Ross Career
Early Career (2019-2020)
On May 2, 2019, D’Angelo Julius Skyler Ross signed with the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent, beginning his professional career in one of the league’s most demanding defensive systems. He was placed on injured reserve on August 12 of that year, a setback that delayed his on-field development. Ross spent most of his early tenure navigating practice-squad movement and special teams duty while learning the Patriots’ defensive scheme.
In 2020, Ross was released by New England on September 5 and signed to the practice squad the following day. He was elevated to the active roster for the team’s Week 17 game against the New York Jets on January 2, 2021, before reverting to the practice squad. On January 4, 2021, he signed a reserve/future contract with the Patriots, securing his place in the organization for another offseason.
New England Patriots Tenure (2019-2021)
Ross continued his developmental work with the Patriots in 2021, though his playing time remained limited. On September 1, he was released and re-signed to the practice squad, a pattern of movement that reflected New England’s aggressive approach to roster management. The experience gave Ross a deeper understanding of professional preparation and scheme versatility, even if his game-day snaps were sparse.
Miami Dolphins and Practice Squad Stops (2022)
On January 25, 2022, Ross signed a reserve/future contract with the Miami Dolphins, hoping for a fresh opportunity in a new secondary. The transition was short-lived: he was waived/injured on August 29, placed on injured reserve, and released on September 1. Ross was also selected by the St. Louis BattleHawks in the 2023 XFL draft in November 2022, though his NFL path ultimately took precedence. He signed with the Houston Texans practice squad on November 22, 2022, restarting his climb once again.
Houston Texans Era (2022-2025)
Ross signed a reserve/future contract with the Houston Texans on January 10, 2023, beginning the most stable stretch of his professional career. He was released as part of final roster cuts on August 29, 2023, and re-signed to the practice squad on September 21, before being promoted to the active roster on October 18. He was waived on October 23 and re-signed to the practice squad the following day, then promoted back to the active roster on November 4.
In 2024, Ross was placed on the active/physically unable to perform (PUP) list on July 18, released on August 27, and re-signed to the practice squad the following day. He was promoted to the active roster on September 18, waived on November 9, and re-signed to the practice squad two days later. On January 11, 2025, in a Wild Card game win against the Los Angeles Chargers, Ross returned a blocked PAT for a defensive two-point conversion, the first time such a play had occurred in the playoffs since the rule was implemented in 2015. On August 26, 2025, he was released by the Texans as part of final roster cuts and re-signed to the practice squad the following week.
Cleveland Browns Era (2025-Present)
On November 19, 2025, Ross was signed by the Cleveland Browns off the Houston Texans practice squad, joining a secondary in need of depth. The move gave him an opportunity to compete for defensive snaps and special teams roles in a new defensive environment. His familiarity with multiple coverage schemes made him a low-risk addition for the Browns late in the season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Ross is best known for his straight-line speed, demonstrated by his 4.32-second 40-yard dash at New Mexico’s pro day. His quick-twitch movement allows him to stay with shifty receivers in off-man coverage and close on routes from the slot. He has built a reputation as a reliable special teams contributor and a willing tackler in run support, traits that have helped him survive on NFL rosters despite a thin frame.
Notable Events and Milestones
Ross’s signature moment came on January 11, 2025, when he returned a blocked PAT for a defensive two-point conversion in a Wild Card game against the Los Angeles Chargers. The play was the first of its kind in the playoffs since the rule was introduced in 2015, etching his name into a small but memorable slice of NFL postseason history.
D’Angelo Ross Career Wins
D’Angelo Julius Skyler Ross has accumulated team-level wins across multiple NFL stops, most notably during the Houston Texans’ 2024 Wild Card victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. While individual statistical totals are not available, his postseason success and steady progression through practice-squad elevations highlight a career defined by perseverance and opportunistic contributions.
NFL Highlights
Ross’s most celebrated highlight is his January 2025 defensive two-point conversion return in the Wild Card round against the Chargers, a play that doubled as a historic postseason moment. Beyond that flashpoint, his career has been marked by repeated practice-squad promotions and a consistent presence on active rosters late in seasons.
Other Performances
Earlier in his career, Ross earned first-team All-SCFA National Division honors at Fullerton College, a recognition that helped him transfer to the University of New Mexico. His 8 interceptions across 25 games at Fullerton and his 4.32-second pro-day 40-yard dash stand as the most notable pre-NFL achievements on his résumé.
D’Angelo Ross Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Ross was raised by his parents, Daniel Ross and Wendy Ross, in La Puente, California. He is one of five children, and his family remained supportive throughout his long, winding journey through the NFL ranks.
Personal Life
Ross graduated with a degree in business administration in December 2018 from the University of New Mexico. He continues to maintain an active presence on social media and has kept his personal and family life largely private, focusing publicly on his football career and professional development.
2025 Season Performance
Ross entered 2025 still on the Houston Texans practice squad after an eventful 2024 season that ended with a historic defensive two-point conversion in the playoffs. After being released as part of final roster cuts on August 26, 2025, and re-signing to the practice squad the following week, he waited for his next opportunity. The standout Wild Card performance from January remained the defining storyline of his 2025 calendar year.
On November 19, 2025, Ross signed with the Cleveland Browns off the Texans practice squad, giving him a late-season platform to compete for defensive snaps. The Browns, managing injuries and depth concerns in their secondary, offered him a chance to contribute on defense and special teams. His familiarity with multiple defensive schemes and his proven special teams value made him a logical depth addition.
Looking ahead to the remainder of 2025, Ross will aim to carve out a consistent role in Cleveland’s secondary while building on his prior postseason experience. With the Browns competing in a competitive AFC North, every defensive snap carries playoff implications. If he can translate his practice-squad consistency into on-field production, Ross could secure a longer-term place in Cleveland’s plans for 2026 and beyond.