Former Tennessee Vols EDGE Jordan Ross isn’t locked in as a starter at LSU despite being one of the Tigers’ highest-paid players.

Ross, a former five-star recruit who spent the first two seasons of his career at Tennessee, reportedly received around $1 million to transfer to LSU.

But despite the big payday, Ross didn’t operate as one of the Tigers’ starting defensive ends during LSU’s final fall scrimmage.

Ross is in the rotation, but he wasn’t one of the first two pass rushers on the field for LSU.

“Princewill Umanmielen and Dylan Carpenter operated as the first-team defensive ends – though it’s important to note that Jordan Ross also worked in the mix,” reported 247Sports’ Zack Nagy.

Jordan Ross is still trying to reach his five-star potential

Ross has elite traits, but he’s yet to reach his potential as he enters his third season in the SEC (he totaled just 1.5 sacks during his two seasons at Tennessee).

The biggest issue for Ross during his career has been consistency, staying healthy, and being physical enough.

“Jordan Ross gotta work on being physical,” said then Vols outside linebackers coach Levorn Harbin in 2025. “He didn’t get many reps last year. He has got to stay healthy. He didn’t stay healthy last year. So he’s got to do a great job of maintenance throughout the year on his body. And he’s still a pup. He’s still a freshman in my eyes.”

“Honestly, Ross is gifted but he’s not consistent with his work,” continued Harbin. “He has to be more consistent every day. He’s a little bit on the immature side because he’s still a freshman. He gotta become more mature and take things more serious. That’s what I’m trying to get across to him. He has God-given talent, but he gotta become more consistent with the mental aspect of the game and taking everything serious.”

Losing Ross this offseason was viewed as a big blow for the Vols — especially after Penn State transfer EDGE Chaz Coleman didn’t work out — but it’s possible that keeping Ross wouldn’t have solved Tennessee’s pass rushing concerns.