The Husky Haul
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Washington Huskies WR John Ross III Officially Cincinnati Bengal

By Bret Stuter

Apr 28, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals first round draft pick John Ross holds up his No. 1 jersey with head coach Marvin Lewis in a press conference at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Greene/Cincinnati Enquirer via USA TODAY NETWORK
Apr 28, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals first round draft pick John Ross holds up his No. 1 jersey with head coach Marvin Lewis in a press conference at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Greene/Cincinnati Enquirer via USA TODAY NETWORK /
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Former Washington Huskies wide receiver John Ross III inked 4-year $17.1 Million deal today, officially making him a Cincinnati Bengal

Wow, that was fast! On one hand, anyone who follows the career of wide receiver John Ross III as a member of the Washington Huskies football team says that instinctiively.  On the other hand, it seems that blazing speed is doing more for Ross than setting speed records at the NFL Combine.

He quickly landed an endorsement with Nike.

In fact, he even came off the NFL Draft board rather quickly, when the Cincinnati Bengals selected him as the ninth overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.

And so, John Ross III found himself heading to Cincinnati, Ohio.  That is just 3,329 miles from Seattle, Washington.   That translates into approximately 36 hours of non-stop driving.  That said, those distances only happen when the new job is worth the effort.  Today, John Ross learned it definitely was worth it.

That Was Quick

But to punctuate the contract signing, Ross becomes just the third player selected in the 2017 NFL Draft first round now under contract. Running back Christian McCaffrey signed with the Carolina Panthers, and cornerback Marlon Humphrey has signed with the Baltimore Ravens.

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One of the anticipated sticking points for Ross’s contract was his injury history. Not just his legs, but the nefarious shoulder surgery he consented to undergo after the NFL combine.

As such, he will not be participating in optional team activities (OTAs) through June 2017.  With that being the case, many expected the contract language to be somwhat of a barrier to a quick signing.  Ross would want full guarantees, while the Bengals might have insisted on discounts to the full price if Ross’s injuries prevented him from playing this season.

In the end, Ross’s full base was guaranteed.

Next: Washington Huskies LB Azeem Victor Named 2018 Mock NFL Draft

Ross was not alone.  As a matter of fact, fourth round linebacker Carl Lawson also signed a Bengal contract today.

Now John Ross III is officially a Cincinnati Bengal.

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