Sharks to Trade for AFL's All-Time Leading Rusher
March 15, 2015 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Jacksonville Sharks News Release
JACKSONVILLE - The Jacksonville Sharks announced today that the team has agreed to a trade with the Las Vegas Outlaws. In the deal, Jacksonville will acquire All-Arena fullback Derrick Ross in exchange for wide receiver Jomo Wilson, offensive lineman Nyere Aumaitre and fullback Undra Hendrix.
The 31-year-old Ross (6'0", 250) has staked his claim as the Arena Football League's top fullback since joining the League in 2011, earning First Team All-Arena honors in each of his four AFL seasons. With 2,260 rushing yards and 142 rushing touchdowns to his name, Ross is the AFL's all-time leader in each of those categories.
Most recently, Ross carried the ball 151 times for 487 yards and 36 touchdowns in 2014, his third season with the Philadelphia Soul. Ross scored two or more rushing touchdowns in 11 separate games last season, including a six-touchdown performance in the season opener against the Arizona Rattlers. In addition to his prolific rushing totals, Ross also caught 20 passes for 198 yards and four scores.
In 2013, Ross carried the ball 153 times for 506 yards and 35 touchdowns in his second season with Philadelphia. That year, he opened the season with nine consecutive multi-touchdown games, and also notched a career-long run of 44 yards. Ross again served as an option in the passing game, collecting 13 receptions for 68 yards and four touchdowns.
The 2012 season marked Ross' first campaign in Philadelphia. That year, he broke his own single-season AFL record for rushing yards, carrying the ball 146 times for 645 yards and 32 touchdowns, good for a career-best average of 4.4 yards per carry. He scored two or more times on the ground in eight separate contests that season, highlighted by an 84-yard, five-touchdown performance against the Orlando Predators.
Ross first broke into the AFL with the Dallas Vigilantes in 2011. He made an immediate impact upon his arrival in the AFL, establishing new rookie records with 167 carries for 622 yards and 39 touchdowns. He racked up 66 yards and four touchdowns in his first-ever AFL game, and went on to record 12 multi-touchdown games that season.
Ross got his first professional football experience with the Kansas City Chiefs, as he played fullback with the team during the 2006 season. He then spent the 2007 season with the Cologne Centurions of NFL Europe, earning NFLE Co-Offensive MVP honors that season. Ross also logged stints with the Canadian Football League's Montreal Alouettes (2008) and Winnipeg Blue Bombers (2009).
Prior to the start of his professional career, Ross attended Blinn College and Tarleton State University. He holds Tarleton State school records for rushing yardage in a single game (269) and single season (1,560). Ross is a native of Huntsville, Texas.
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