Last Updated: March 11. 2010
Sam Webb: Recruiting
U-M, MSU go after super soph James Ross Jr. early
There's no rest for the weary in the world of college football recruiting. Before the ink dries on the letters of intent from the senior signees, coaches flow seamlessly into courting their next crop of prospects. On rare occasions they'll look ahead even further and target youngsters two years down the line. Orchard Lake St. Mary's has one of those special cases, sophomore phenom James Ross Jr.
In his first year of high school football after starring for the Detroit Police Athletic League's Westside Cubs, Ross emerged as a standout performer for George Porritt's St. Mary's Eaglets. The 6-foot, 210-pounder had 103 tackles, five sacks, five forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries and an interception while keying the defense for a team that went all the way to the state title game. It was a definitive answer to the prevalent question -- how would he adjust? Even Ross wondered.
"It was real difficult at first," Ross said. "I hadn't experienced bigger linemen, bigger people and having to get past them, but as I started practicing with our linemen it started getting easier and easier."
William Tandy, Ross' former coach with the Cubs, was not surprised by Ross' stellar transition.
"He's nasty," Tandy said. "He will put his nose and his face into it. He is going to go 100 miles an hour, and he is going to do what it takes both on and off the field to get there."
Added Ross, "I emulate a Ray Lewis on the field. I like how he plays, and I try to imitate everything that he does. It really fits me how he plays."