An unheralded mainstay in Appalachian State’s secondary for the past two seasons ... has started 19 games in the past two seasons ... versatile player can line up anywhere in the defensive backfield but has found a home at cornerback, where he started nine games last season ... is expected to be a starter for the third-straight season and enters the fall listed atop the depth chart at one of the Mountaineers’ two cornerback positions ... possesses exceptional speed and a nose for the ball.

2013: Played in all 12 games with nine starts at left cornerback ... tied for fifth on the team with 56 tackles (37 solo) ... turned in his best performance of the year in the opener at Montana with a career-high 11 tackles, a forced fumble and a blocked PAT ... went on to record multiple tackles in all 12 games ... had seven stops in win at Elon ... notched five tackles five times in the last nine games — vs. Charleston Southern, vs. Samford, at Furman, at Georgia and vs. Western Carolina ... broke up three passes, including one in 38-14 rout over Georgia Southern.

2012: Saw action in all 12 games, starting 10 (one at left cornerback and nine at the “star” position) … ranked seventh on team with 46 total tackles … tied for sixth on squad with six tackles for loss … ranked second on team with five quarterback hurries … made at least three tackles in 11-of-12 games … made an impressive showing in home opener versus Montana with four tackles, two tackles for loss, a quarterback hurry and a pass breakup in 35-27 triumph … tallied a career-high seven stops to help lead Mountaineers to come-from-behind 31-17 win at Chattanooga … broke up two passes and made five stops, including one behind the line of scrimmage, in rout over Coastal Carolina … returned each of the first two takeaways of his career for touchdowns in back-to-back contests versus Samford and Wofford … stepped in front of a pass and easily returned his first-career interception 17 yards for a pivotal touchdown in 28-25 triumph at Samford … scooped up a fumble and streaked 47 yards to paydirt against Wofford … recorded three tackles and a quarterback hurry in win at Western Carolina … made three stops, including one for loss, and broke up a pass in SoCon-title-clinching victory over Furman … had three tackles in season-ending playoff loss to Illinois State.

2011: Appeared in eight games as a true freshman, primarily on special teams … has 12 tackles, five of which came on kickoff coverage, good for fourth on the team … made collegiate debut with two tackles and a pass breakup against Savannah State … turned in best performance of his rookie campaign with season-high four stops and a pass breakup in defense-dominated 14-12 win over No. 13 Chattanooga … had three tackles in homecoming win over Samford … was in on a sack in 28-21 comeback win at Elon.

High School: Played both wide receiver and defensive back as a prep ... caught 21 passes for 330 yards and four touchdowns as a senior, including a five-catch, 146-yard, two-touchdown effort in a 27-23 win over Quince Orchard ... helped lead Damascus to an undefeated regular season and Maryland 3A state semifinals in 2010 ... named team’s offensive MVP as a senior ... participated in 2010 Maryland Crab Bowl all-star game ... coached by Eric Wallich ... attended same high school as current Appalachian State teammate George Vinson.
 
Personal: Full name is Joel Orville Ross ... born June 12, 1992 (22 years old) ... son of Nellreen and Dave Ross ... majoring in criminal justice ... aspires to be a police officer.