MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Memphis football have their eyes on a conference championship and the college football playoffs, and so far, they're doing everything right to put themselves in a position to achieve both of those things.
The Tigers are 2-0 to start the season and the defense have allowed just 17 points. A lot of players have had to step up to make that possible, one of them being defensive back Davion Ross, who this time last year saw his season come to an end.
"I just remember going and making a tackle, and I tried to get up and I couldn't, and I fell back down, and from there, I don't remember nothing," Ross said.
That tackle in Week 2 against Arkansas State resulted in a fractured right arm that forced Ross into season-ending surgery in what was supposed to be his last year of eligibility.
"It was hard. I was...down for a couple of weeks," Ross said. "It was very, very hard...I was just by myself in my room all day just thinking, 'Why me?'"
Ross said the initial shock of the injury and knowing he couldn't play again in 2023 was the lowest point in his life, but it didn't take long for him to switch his mindset.
The Georgia native remembers being at home a few weeks later watching the Tigers in an away game and being thankful that his career wasn't over.
"I just felt like if I were to stay down for so long, I'd never get out of that headspace of...being sad, so I had to flip the switch and be like, 'I get to play again, and that's all that matters'," Ross said.
"He's never too high, he's never too low...He stays pretty grounded," Defensive coordinator Jordon Hankins said. "It was like, 'How can I get myself back as fast as possible?' That's what winners do; he's a winner."
Through the months of rehab, Ross was always focused on stepping onto the field at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium for his last year of college football, and when that moment came, he couldn't quite believe it.
"It felt good, like, amazing. I really didn't know what to do; I had so many chill bumps. I felt like a kid at recess," Ross said.
But being between the lines was just the beginning of his manifestations. Ross had also been visualizing getting a pick in his first game back, which came to fruition.
"I usually do it almost every game because I feel like if you manifest, in my opinion, I feel like it'll come true," Ross said.
In two games the star defensive back has also had three pass breakups, six total tackles and played a part in one tackle for loss.
"He's been resilient," Memphis head coach Ryan Silverfield said. "He goes out there and handles his business he's a pro, he loves this place. I hope he continues to make big plays because he's been instrumental for our success on defense."
"I honestly do feel like I'm way better than what I was last year, which is really a good thing," Ross said. "A lot of people say things happen for a reason, and I honestly believe that."
Maybe that reason is so Ross can relish in every moment of a potentially historic season for the Tigers.
Memphis play at Florida State against former head coach Mike Norvell on Saturday at 11 a.m. as they look to continue their undefeated start to the season.