KRISTOPHER ROSS

Former Texas and Nevada defensive lineman Kristopher Ross has signed with Sacramento State and will be joining the Hornets’ roster in the upcoming 2025 season.

Ross spent two years with the Texas Longhorns in 2022 and redshirted in 2023 after being recruited out of North Shore High School. He was a four-star prospect at North Shore and was ranked No. 29 overall in the state of Texas by ESPN, helping the team to a 14-1 overall record, including a 6-0 district mark and title. In high school, Ross also competed in track and field and finished fourth in the 2021 Texas 6A state meet in the shot put (60-3.5) with a PR of 60-9. 

The pass-rusher committed to Texas in 2021 while holding offers from Miami, Auburn, TCU, Ole Miss, USC, and more. Entering the transfer portal in December of 2023, Ross followed Texas assistant coach Jeff Choate to Nevada as he was hired as head coach for the Wolf Pack. In his lone season at Nevada, Ross played in all 13 games, making 6 starts, recording 29 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks.

Ross committed to Sac State on May 16th, 2025, and will be playing under new head coach Brennan Marion. This upcoming season will be Coach Marion’s first season with Sacramento, after spending two seasons as UNLV’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Bringing his staple “Go-Go Offense” to Northern California, his time at UNLV earned him Mountain West Wire Coordinator of the Year honors.

Marion came to UNLV from the University of Texas where he served as the passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach during the 2022 season.  In addition to Ross, Marion has also added other former Longhorns, running back Savion Red and wide receiver Agiye Hall. 

Reflecting on his bond with Coach Marion that began at Texas, “Always been a good guy, good coach, uplifting, encouraging, so I can only imagine what he’s going to do as a head coach. Ready to be a part of that, that’s why I’m here,” Ross said.

He will be joining good company with newly added transfers Texas A&M receiver Ernest Campbell and Georgia quarterback Jaden Rashada, amongst others. “New brothers… getting to know everybody, build [team] chemistry so we can go on the field and execute our game plan,” Ross said.

Article by Siany Harts

Graphic Created on Canva

Photo Courtesy of Sac State Athletics