It was March 2019 and Shai Ross had a proverbial chip on his surgically repaired shoulder.
Four months removed from going under the knife, Ross walked into the CFL Western Regional Combine poised to leave his mark.
After spending three seasons of Canada West ball with the Manitoba Bisons, Ross knew what he was capable of.
Now was his chance to prove it.
“I felt like I had to go into that combine with a little chip on my shoulder and felt like it was my opportunity to prove myself,” Ross recalled.
“I thought that my tape showed it, but again, I was only (at Manitoba) for three years so it wasn’t really enough to get the full invite to the national combine. Going into that regional combine, I just had to go in there and show the scouts that I had what it took to compete with the best and that’s what I did.”
To say he impressed would be an understatement. Ross topped four of the six major tests inside the Commonwealth Field House, earning a trip to the CFL National Combine.
CLICK HERE FOR PLAYERS TO WATCH AT THIS WEEKEND’S COMBINE
With the CFL’s National Combine set for this weekend in Toronto, Ross’ story is fitting, as the Elks continue preparations to draft No. 1 overall in May’s CFL Draft.
Edmonton head coach and general manager Chris Jones, along with assistant general manager Geroy Simon, will be in Toronto looking for not only direction on who to take first overall, but also clues they hope will lead to other draft successes.
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Not only did Ross use his combine results to turn CFL heads, the Winnipeg product was able to parlay his strong showings into NFL attention, as he got the chance to attend New York Giants mini-camp .
That mini-camp invite led to a unique CFL Draft night experience.
“A lot of people would like to be relaxed at home with the comfort of their family, but I was actually at Giants mini-camp,” Ross said of his draft story. “I was in a hotel with my roommate, so we were watching the draft and swamped with a playbook that we had to learn by the morning.”
“I’m trying to enjoy watching the draft and congratulating some of my friends who had gone before me and just trying and enjoy the experience overall, but it was a little tough with having to prepare for the next day of Giants mini-camp.”
And despite the chaos of draft night, there’s no debating that getting the call from the Double E was a highlight that sticks with Ross to this day.
“I definitely can’t downplay being drafted. It’s one of the most amazing things you’ll feel in your life, so I’m grateful to Edmonton for drafting me. It was an amazing experience.”
BY THE NUMBERS: SHAI ROSS’ CAREER STATS
As for what’s in store for participants at this weekend’s combine, Ross has some words of wisdom from his own breakout experience, which has since yielded 19 appearances in Green and Gold over two CFL seasons.
“More than anything living in the moment and embracing the experience itself,” Ross explained.
“It truly is a blessing. There are many players around the country that would really give up a lot to get that opportunity to compete at that level, displaying their talents in front of those coaches. Just leave it all out there and go in there with the mindset that you’re going to go dominate and you’re also going to enjoy yourself and have fun.”
The CFL Draft is slated for Tuesday, May 3 with the Elks set to select first overall for the first time since 2006.