Yahoo Nachrichten 
Washington loses 4 players to the NFL draft, including John Ross and Budda Baker
Four Washington players are leaving school early for the NFL.
The program announced Tuesday that safety Budda Baker, cornerback Sidney Jones, defensive lineman Elijah Qualls and wide receiver John Ross will forgo their senior seasons in order to play professionally.
“These four players have been a big part of the progress this program has made during their time here,” said UW head coach Chris Petersen. “We wish them all the success in the world as they pursue their professional goals.”
After missing the entire 2015 season because of two knee surgeries, Ross had a breakout season in 2016 for the Pac-12 champion Huskies. In all, the 5-foot-11, 190-pound Ross caught 81 passes for 1,150 yards and 17 touchdowns. He also returned a kickoff for a touchdown and tallied a rushing score, as well.
In 2014, Ross split time between receiver and defensive back and combined for seven touchdowns — four receiving, two kickoff returns and one rushing. Of those seven touchdowns, five were 75 yards or more (75, 86, 91, 96 and 100 yards). He also tallied 16 tackles and an interception while averaging 21.8 yards per reception that season. As a freshman in 2013, Ross added 16 catches for 208 yards and a touchdown. And like he did every other season of his college career, Ross also added a touchdown on a kickoff return.
[Follow Dr. Saturday on social media: Twitter | Facebook | Tumblr]
Baker, a three-year starter, led the Huskies with 71 tackles and 10 tackles for loss this season while adding three sacks and two interceptions. The 5-foot-10, 192-pound Baker combined for 129 tackles in his first two seasons, including 80 as a true freshman in 2014.
Jones, another three-year starter at cornerback for the Huskies, notches 145 tackles and nine interceptions in three seasons at UW. He led the team in interceptions in 2014 and 2015. This year, he finished with 39 tackles and three interceptions.
Qualls, a redshirt junior, started the last two seasons for the Huskies on the interior. He was a first-team All-Pac-12 selection this season and finished the year with 38 tackles, five tackles for loss and three sacks.
Like Ross, many of these UW players — Baker and Jones, especially — are considered possible high-round picks. The deadline for underclassmen to declare is Jan. 16.
Washington finished the season 12-2 after losing to Alabama 24-7 in the College Football Playoff semifinal on Saturday night.
For more Washington news, visit TheDawgReport.com.
– – – – – – –
Sam Cooper is a writer for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
