University of Connecticut Athletics
Getting to Know the Freshmen: WR Cameron Ross
9/23/2019 9:38:00 AM | Football
Freshman wide receiver Cameron Ross comes to UConn from Newark, Delaware. He played his high school football at St. John's College High School in Washington D.C., home of one of the top-ranked high school football programs in the country. Ross has made an impact right away on the Huskies offense. He caught four passes for 85 yards in his debut against Illinois, and he caught another three passes for 30 yards in the most recent game against Indiana. Last week, we got to learn some more about him.
Q: Why did you pick UConn?
CR: Just had a real comfortable vibe. I'm real comfortable with the coaching staff. I have some history with them. When I came up here on my visits, I just felt like family. I felt welcomed and I could envision myself being here for the next four.
Q: Coach Edsall said he knows your family. Tell me about that.
CR: My brothers played at the University of Maryland when he got there. So when everyone would make visits, I would just tag along and everything. Nine years old just running around the facility and whatever. So that was cool. I know a couple of those guys on the coaching staff. Who would've ever known I would end up here?
Q: What's your favorite thing about playing football at UConn so far?
CR: I think just trying to rebuild what was here. I like contributing to build the program, and I can see us doing real big things this year. So I think having a role on that field trying to do some things just to help the team win, I really enjoy that part. It's the process.
Q: What was the biggest adjustment from high school to college football?
CR: Definitely just a lot more responsibility. Being held accountable. Nobody's holding your hand. No excuses, put your head down and just work hard, you know. 5:45 treatments, breakfast, but it's like hey you gotta go to work.
Q: How would you describe the experience of your first college football game against Illinois?
CR: Bus ride over, I was kind of nervous, but you know, once the ball kicked off, everything just went away. I felt ready, and then I got that first catch. I see the grass and I'm like alright I can do this. Once I got in the flow of things, I'm like ok I can hang with these people. I can actually do this college football thing.
Q: You broke in with a bang. That first catch was a 40-yard pass. How did that feel catching your first pass?
CR: That felt great. I turned my head. I didn't think I was gonna be that open. I almost got surprised, but I was like I gotta keep my feet moving so I just ran. Tried to get as many yards as I can, you know.
Q: What's it like being a true freshman and being able to play so many snaps and really make an impact?
CR: Oh yeah, it's great. Coming in here, I always wanted to have a role, but I would have never thought I'd be starting. True freshman, there's not really much room for mistakes. All that freshman stuff goes out the door. You just got to play like you're a senior. It's molded me into being more responsible, so that really will help me.
Q: Looking back on your whole football career to this point, what's been the highlight?
CR: Coming here I guess. My goal was to play D1 football, and I'm playing for a good program, some great coaches, some great people. So that's probably the highlight.
Q: What do you feel is the most valuable thing you bring to the team?
CR: I think my speed. I think anybody can say that I can tell what the coaches want this offense to be. Speed, fast. I think I can help with that a lot.
Q: What's something you'd like to improve this year?
CR: My route running. I think I can always improve on that. Just being more crisp, becoming more open.
Q: What's something you want the UConn fans to know about you?
CR: I'm all for the team. I'm ready to go to a bowl. I'm ready to win.
Q: What's a personal goal for you this season?
CR: Personal? I want at least eight touchdowns!
