Matt Weiner (@mattweiner20) – Football Beat Reporter
Enough was enough.
Auburn’s Jordan-Hares stadium lights provided a blinding glare through the visor of San Jose State wide receiver Charles Ross. After one snap, he knew it would hamstring him, so he decided to rid himself of it.
89 receiving yards later, it wasn’t tough to see whether or not it was the right decision.
“And you won’t see me with the visor this game either,” said Ross referring to the coming matchup against Western Michigan.
Ross digging himself out of a discomforting predicament by making a change is just how he became a Spartan.
It took all but one season for the sophomore to realize the University of Nevada wasn’t the place for him after committing in 2020.
“Both of my grandparents passed the same day, on Jan. 6, 2021. I already kind of felt like I was depressed,” said Ross. “Stuff wasn’t just feeling right and I called E and them how I felt.”
“E” is Eric Scott, then Nevada wide receiver coach who currently fulfills the same role at San Jose State.
“E told me to take my time. So I took my time and something came to me like, ‘Charles, something is greater out there for you’ so I just ran with it.”
Scott, an L.A. native just like Ross, came down to Culver City High School to recruit a wide receiver to fill the shoes of Romeo Doubs, who’s now catching balls from Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay.
“I was not looking for Charles when I went down to his high school,” said Scott.
“I go to the head coach and I’m asking like, ‘Where’s this kid?’ and Charles walks in and comes to me, smiling, very charismatic and strikes up a conversation.”
When a player “strikes up a conversation” with a coach, it’s usually an elevator pitch littered with stats, bench press and squat numbers, and perhaps a GPA.
Charles Ross led with curiosity, asking him what school he was from. Before Scott knew it, he was being taken on an involuntary tour.
“He points out like, ‘Oh that’s the track coach,’ telling me who the fastest people are,” Scott later exclaimed, “He’s recruiting me!”
At the time Scott didn’t even know Ross played football. He was under the assumption that it was just another student.
“We are just walking around, we’re talking and I’m like, ‘Do you play?’”
To which Ross emphatically responded “yes.”
When Scott viewed Ross’ tape alongside him, his recruiting senses started tingling.
“I’m like man, you’re pretty good.”
Scott told Ross to get his grades up, but it was clear that his charisma and genuineness made an indelible impression.
Months go on without the two connecting. No sour grapes, it’s just how recruiting goes when fall turns to winter and winter to spring.
On the second Sunday of May, Scott got a call from Ross who skipped ‘hello’ or ‘how are you doing?’
“Coach, don’t forget to call your mother and wish her a happy Mother’s Day,” recalls Scott.
“That’s what made him stick and it really made me say, ‘You know what? I’m going to watch this kid.’”
When Scott took that next step he was mesmerized by his “intangibles.”
“Being able to adjust to balls, his range of catching was always phenomenal to me. He could catch any ball thrown his way,” said Scott.
Those same intangibles led him to Reno, Nevada, but deep down he knew sporting the navy blue for the Wolf Pack wasn’t the right fit. Once again, no sour grapes, the timing wasn’t right.
He still keeps in touch with his protege, Romeo Doubs, playing Call of Duty and talking on the phone with him frequently.
Initial success for Charles Ross after transferring to SJSU
In the second game of 2021 against USC, he went for 3 catches, 77 yards and snagged the team’s lone touchdown of the day. His progression continued to show, but all of that came to a screeching halt seven games later.
“In the middle of the season I kept progressing and elevating,” said Ross. “But then against Wyoming, I got hurt.”
Everything that Scott saw from his impromptu, wide-smiling tour guide was on display.
The speed: Ross took the top off Wyoming’s secondary.
The ball adjustment skills: A violent, but smooth twist of his entire body in mid-air to adjust to Nick Nash’s 55-yard heave.
Catching range: Amid the violent turn, with outstretched arms, grasping the ball over the safety’s head.
Everything was executed to a tee.
Well, everything, but the landing.
“At the end of the season, I told myself, ‘Charles either you step up and elevate higher or you’re going to stay where you’re at.”
Staying true to his story, he went up once again. Thanks to a call from Scott, of course.
SJSU had five minutes to come back from a 24-13 deficit. It was time to roll the dice and take a shot down the field.
“We originally called the play for Lockhart,” said Scott.
Lockhart, who was operating on a tender ankle, was unsure or not whether he could do it.
Scott needed a definitive answer.
“Can you do it? Or can’t you do it?” said Scott. “Don’t be selfish.”
“They [Lockhart and Elijah Cooks] both said, ‘Charles can do it.’”
In its simplest form, football is pass or fail.
Up the sideline, Charles Ross went.
Speeding from his own five-yard-line, tearing through the hash marks, Ross’ fluidly jerked his body adjusting to quarterback Chevan Cordeiro’s bomb.
Good news. He passed. To the tune of a 40-yard reception.
“It’s part of life,” said Ross. “If something comes my way, then I’m ready for it. Anytime, any day.”
Life is, but one flip of the hips after another. Adjusting to whatever is thrown. Just like Charles Ross, sometimes it requires a shift of vision and vision to see it coming.