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Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Fort Dodge’s Dre’Shawn Ross takes control of last season’s district opponent in the Dodgers’ gym. Ross is currently recovering from shoulder surgery.

Dreshawn Ross has learned the hard way over the past three months about patience and perspective.

Ranked as one of the state’s top football prospects and one of the nation’s elite wrestling athletes, the Fort Dodge junior has bounced back from shoulder surgery while envisioning his future from the sidelines rather than the field or mat. We are continuing our efforts to make a comeback.

“[The injury]definitely taught me not to take things for granted and to be grateful for every opportunity I’ve been given.” Ross, who is 6-foot-4 and weighs 220 pounds, said he is a first-team all-state linebacker and a two-time state wrestling champion. “My shoulder is feeling much better. It feels great and my physical therapy is going well. It can be tough at times, but it’s definitely necessary to get back to where I want to be.

“Obviously, it would be nice to be able to compete before the end of the (upcoming) high school wrestling season, but I can’t guarantee that. I’m just taking it day by day. Getting better every day is my main focus. .”

Instead of playing high school football for the Dodgers this fall, Ross used his rehab time to work on wrestling recruiting. Ross, the consensus top-five prospect nationally for the Class of 2026, visited Iowa State, Ohio State, Oklahoma State, Northern Illinois, Oklahoma State, Iowa State and Penn State.

Messenger Photo by Britt Kudla: Dreshawn Ross carries the ball for Fort Dodge during the 2023 football season.

On Monday, Ross named the Cyclones, Hawkeyes, Nittany Lions, and Cowboys as his finalists for a wrestling career, in no particular order.

The most decorated recruit in FDSH history is still weighing his options, both in terms of school and sports choices at the next level.

“I love both sports very much.” Ross said he is a four-star linebacker who has official football offers from Iowa, Iowa State, Michigan, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Kansas, Kansas State, Missouri, Minnesota and Purdue. “I’m very competitive and I train every day to be the best at whatever I’m trying to do.

“I was lucky to have[a support system]around me that taught me that from a young age. Going out in front of thousands of people and performing and realizing what I’ve been working on my whole life. Being able to showcase it is reason enough for me to want to do it (in college).”

Ross added that he would ideally want to decide on a school by this summer and is considering which sport, if not both, he could compete in. “every day.”

All future talk doesn’t mean Ross didn’t miss his junior season with the Dodgers on the gridiron. Fort Dodge finished the regular season 7-2, clinching the District 1 championship and a Class 4A playoff berth. The team lost to No. 1 North Polk last Friday.

“It was tough and disappointing not being able to play with my teammates and my best friends.” Ross talked about being sidelined this fall. “I was really happy for my teammates (after making it to the postseason). Personally, I don’t think there’s a more deserving team than them. They worked hard every week and fought hard every Friday night. . Definitely a special group that I would have loved to have played with this year.”

As for 2025, Ross added that the Dodgers will have as many as 17 starters back on the gridiron. “I plan on playing 100 percent.”

“As long as I have the energy, I can’t wait.”