Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Fort Dodge's Dreshaun Ross controls his district opponent last season in the Dodger gym. Ross is currently recovering from shoulder surgery.

Dreshaun Ross has learned about patience and perspective the hard way these last three months.

Ranked as one of the state’s top football prospects and among the nation’s elite wrestling recruits, the Fort Dodge junior continues to work his way back from shoulder surgery as he maps out his future from the sidelines rather than the field and mat.

“(The injury) has definitely taught me to not take things for granted, and to be grateful for every opportunity I’m given,” said the 6-foot-4, 220-pound Ross, a first team all-state linebacker and two-time state wrestling champion. “My shoulder has gotten a lot better. It feels amazing, and the physical therapy is going great. It’s tough at times, but definitely what I need to get back to where I want it.

“Obviously I would love to be able to compete by the end of (this coming) high school wrestling season, but I can’t guarantee that. I’m just taking things day-by-day. Getting better each and every day is my main focus.”

Instead of playing high school football for the Dodgers this fall, Ross has used his rehab time to hit the wrestling recruiting trail. A consensus Top-5 national prospect for the Class of 2026, Ross visited Iowa State, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Northern Illinois, Oklahoma State, Iowa and Penn State.

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

On Monday, Ross named his four finalists should he go the wrestling route: the Cyclones, Hawkeyes, Nittany Lions and Cowboys, in no particular order.

The most decorated recruit in FDSH history is still weighing his options — both in terms of school and sport choice at the next level.

“I have a lot of love for both sports,” said Ross, 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 a competitive person who trains every day to be the best at whatever it is I’m going to do.

“I’ve been lucky to have (a support system) around me who taught me that from a young age. Being able to go out and perform in front of thousands and thousands of people and showcase what I’ve worked my entire life for is enough of a reason for me to want to do it (collegiately) as well.”

Ross did add he would ideally like to have a school picked by this summer, and thinks about which sport — if not both — he could see himself competing in “every day.”

All of the future talk doesn’t mean Ross didn’t miss his junior season with the Dodgers on the gridiron. Fort Dodge capped a 7-2 regular season with a co-District 1 championship and a Class 4A playoff berth. The team was ousted at top-ranked North Polk last Friday.

“It was hard and it sucked that I couldn’t play with my teammates and some of my best friends,” Ross said of being sidelined this fall. “I was extremely happy for my teammates (after reaching the postseason). I personally don’t think there’s any team more deserving than these guys. They worked hard each week and fought tooth-and-nail every Friday night. It’s definitely a special group of people that I wish I could’ve played alongside this year.”

As for 2025, when the Dodgers will be returning as many as 17 starters on the gridiron, Ross added he “100% intends on playing.”

“As long as I’m physically able, I can’t wait for it.”