Aaron Ross Aaron Jermaine Ross ( born in September 15 , 1982 ) is an American football cornerback for the New York Giants of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Giants in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft . He played college football for the University of Texas Longhorns from 2003 to 2006 , winning the Jim Thorpe Award for the nation ' s top defensive back in 2006 . He was named the defensive “ most valuable player ” of the 2006 Alamo Bowl . Ross has also played for the Jacksonville Jaguars . Early years . Ross attended John Tyler High School in Tyler , Texas , where he competed as quarterback , wide receiver and running back in his three - year career under coach Allen Wilson . He was named second - team Class 5A All - State after posting six interceptions , three fumble recoveries , three blocked kicks and allowing just one touchdown reception as a senior in 2001 . As a junior , he returned a fumble and a blocked punt for a score , adding 350 rushing yards ( on 46 carries ) and five touchdowns and caught five passes for 200 yards and two scores that year . His career - high of 362 all - purpose yards came against Katy High School in 2001 . Ross also registered three interceptions while rushing for a touchdown against Fair Park High School that season . His best game was against Marshall High School , when he amassed 272 all - purpose yards , rushed for two touchdowns and had an interception . As a sophomore , Ross played at Fox Tech High School in San Antonio , Texas . There he rushed for 486 yards and nine touchdowns and caught 11 passes for 382 yards and three scores on offense . He also intercepted five passes and blocked ten kicks . During his time at both schools , he lettered four times as a sprinter in track & field and twice in basketball . College career . Ross enrolled at Texas in 2002 , but was academically ineligible to play . He played in thirteen games behind Nathan Vasher at left cornerback in 2003 , coming up with 27 tackles ( 23 solos ) , a stop for a loss and two pass break - ups . He shared right cornerback duties with Tarell Brown in 2004 , appearing in twelve contests . He recorded 36 tackles ( 28 solos ) with an interception and three pass break - ups . He also averaged 7 . 6 yards on 18 punt returns . As a junior , Ross earned All - Big 12 Conference honorable mention . He started two games at cornerback and ranked tenth in the nation with a 14 . 7 - yard average on 34 punt returns , returning two for touchdowns . He also had three interceptions with nine pass break - ups . He ranked seventh on the team with 62 tackles ( 35 solos ) , adding two stops behind the line of scrimmage . Finally a full - time starter in 2006 , Ross made the most of this opportunity . He earned All - America n and All - Big 12 Conference first - team honors , in addition to being named the Thorpe Award winner ( nation ’ s top defensive back ) . The Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year ranked third on the squad with 80 tackles ( 59 solos ) . He added a sack , two stops for losses and 19 pass deflections . He caused three fumbles , recovered two and picked off six passes . He also scored once while averaging 10 . 4 yards on 23 punt returns . In 51 games at Texas , Ross started 15 times . He registered 205 tackles ( 145 solos ) with a one - yard sack , five stops for losses of 21 yards and a quarterback pressure . He caused three fumbles and recovered two others , returning one for a touchdown . Ross batted away 33 passes and intercepted ten others for 111 yards in returns ( 11 . 1 avg ) . He also returned 76 punts for 893 yards ( 11 . 8 avg ) and three scores , adding 53 yards on a pair of kickoff returns ( 26 . 5 avg ) . Ross was part of a Texas recruiting class which contained future NFL players Rodrique Wright , Justin Blalock , Brian Robison , Kasey Studdard , Lyle Sendlein , David Thomas , Selvin Young , and Vince Young . This class , cited as one of the strongest college recruiting classes ever , won the 2005 National Championship . Ross was able to top off his career at Texas by winning the prestigious Jim Thorpe Award as the nation ' s top collegiate defensive back . Professional career . New York Giants . Ross was drafted in the first round ( 20th overall ) of the 2007 NFL Draft by the New York Giants . He was one of seven Longhorns selected by professional football teams in the 2007 NFL Draft . The others were Michael Griffin ( number 19 overall ) , Justin Blalock ( number 39 overall ) , Tim Crowder ( number 56 overall ) , Brian Robison ( number 102 overall ) , Tarell Brown ( number 147 overall ) , Kasey Studdard ( number 183 overall ) . Lyle Sendlein and Selvin Young were not drafted but signed with NFL teams as free agents . He had first and second career interceptions against the New York Jets , returning his second for his first career touchdown in the same game . As a rookie , Ross recorded 42 tackles , 2 . 5 tackles for a loss , 1 . 5 sacks , 9 passes defended and 3 interceptions which he returned a total of 51 yards including a 43 - yard touchdown . Ross helped the Giants win Super Bowl XLII by starting at corner , recording 12 tackles , 2 tackles for a loss and a pass defended in the Giants 4 playoff games . In his second NFL Season he recorded 52 tackles , 4 . 0 tackles for a loss , 8 passes defended and three interceptions ( 58 return yards including a 50 yard TD ) . He was placed on injured reserve on December 31 , 2009 . Ross has recorded 200 tackles , 2 . 5 sacks , 33 passes defended , 10 interceptions in 65 NFL games ( 41 starts ) . When teammate Terrell Thomas was placed on injured reserve prior to the 2011 regular season , Ross was named the starter at right cornerback . Jacksonville Jaguars . The Jacksonville Jaguars signed cornerback Aaron Ross to a three - year , $ 9 . 75 million contract to play cornerback . Ross was released after the start of free agency by new general manager Dave Caldwell . Second stint with Giants . Ross signed with the New York Giants on March 12 , 2013 . Personal . Ross ' s wife is Sanya Richards - Ross , a quadruple Olympic gold medalist . The wedding took place on February 26 , 2010 and was featured on an episode of WE TV ' s Platinum Weddings .