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While there isn’t a whole lot that is completely concrete about the 2018 Indianapolis Colts roster at this point in the off-season, one thing for sure is that General Manager Chris Ballard will remain active in churning the bottom of the roster. One position that he has targeted heavily is wide receiver, where little is certain other than T.Y. Hilton is the unquestioned top target. Uncovering diamonds requires patience, timing, and unlimited attempts — and it is clear that Ballard isn’t shy about reloading.
The latest player to catch the attention of Ballard and his new coaching staff is big bodied wide receiver Kayaune Ross. He is 6’5”, 223 lbs. and ran a 4.59 40-yard dash at his Pro Day. He will be joining a receiving group with six other players that are 6’2” or taller -- as a part of a very clear focus to add size to the position in Indianapolis.
Ross worked his way up from junior college at Arizona Western Community College to get an opportunity to play for Kentucky. There were strange circumstances that impacted his college eligibility. He played as a true Freshman and red shirted in his sophomore season at Arizona Western. He expected that he would have three years of eligibility at Kentucky but the NCAA informed him in January that he did not have an additional year of eligibility. He could have gone through the process of appealing the decision but chose instead to move on from college and put his name into the ring for the NFL.
Like most tryout candidates who get signed to the 90-man roster, Ross is definitely a project at this point in his career. He only had a total of 18 receptions for 229 yards and 1 touchdown during his two-year career at Kentucky. He did a nice job of laying some nasty downfield blocks though, and is much bigger than the defensive backs who had to try to get around him. Perhaps there is a chance he will be considered for a position transition inside to tight end or will put a plus blocker in the receiving room to rub off on others.
This will be an uphill battle but Ross loves football and has mentioned that he is interested in coaching if playing doesn’t work out. Take a look at a couple of videos to see him use his frame to make contested catches and his size to abuse secondaries as a blocker.