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| James Ross |
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 225 lbs.
High school: Orchard Lake (MI) St. Mary's
Position: Linebacker
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: #15
Last year: Ross was in high school. He had 138 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and 1 fumble recovery.
Final TTB Rating: 94
If you can't tell by the commitment post above - and the TTB Rating - I really like Ross as a prospect. He was a steady contributor throughout his high school career, seems to have a good head on his shoulders both on and off the field, and seems to be one of the more college ready prospects. Ross committed last May and never wavered at all, despite being offered by some heavy hitters from around the country.
I might rank Ross higher on the list if not for the depth at weakside linebacker, his future position. Sophomore Desmond Morgan returns as the starter, redshirt freshman Antonio Poole earned praise throughout the spring (EDIT: Poole is likely out for most/all of the season due to a biceps tear), and senior Brandin Hawthorne has some starting experience, too. Despite being college ready, there's a chance that Ross will redshirt because of the depth ahead of him. It's been a few years since Michigan could redshirt elite talent, but the depth appears to be getting back to traditional levels. My guess is that Ross will see the field as a backup or special teamer, because we could quite possibly see Morgan move to MIKE in 2013, and the coaches may want to groom Ross as the starter at WILL. But with fellow freshman Joe Bolden earning praise at MIKE, too, it will be interesting to see how the depth sorts itself. Regardless of who starts, some talented kids will be biding their time on the bench.
Prediction: Backup linebacker and special teams contributor
Magnus, you keep talking about Antonio Poole being in the mix at WILL. Poole suffered a serious injury and probably won't be ready for camp which means he won't be ready to play this fall.
ReplyDeleteYeah...I wrote up this piece before I heard that and forgot to edit.
DeleteWill Poole be eligible for a medical red shirt this year then if he doesn't play? How does that work out?
DeleteWill Poole be eligible for a medical red shirt this year if he doesnt play? How does that work out?
DeleteHe probably won't get a medical redshirt, since he redshirted last year. He'll just have three years of eligiblity left after this (2013-2015).
DeleteHow/when did he tear his biceps?
ReplyDeleteWord is that he hurt it during weightlifting a couple weeks ago.
DeleteThat's too bad...hopefully it doesn't affect his career...thought he had a chance to contribute for us, if not this year, in the next couple of years.
ReplyDeleteHad not heard Poole had a serious injury. I thought he looked really good in the Ohio HS all start game last summer and had high hopes. But I was surprised by how small (and slow) he looked in the spring game. Even w/o the injury, I wonder if these incoming FR are not better.
ReplyDeleteYour logic makes sense regarding Ross. Ross and Ringer may be competing for back-up and special teams snaps this year. It would be nice to redshirt RJS plus one more LB. But with the way Hoke is recruiting LB's, you may as well play kids if they are ready. I've heard that LB will be strong in the 2014 recruiting cycle again. The position group will soon be log-jammed with good talent. What a contrast to the last 10 years.
Morgan improved dramatically, but was still a weak link on the defense and didn't have nearly the talent (at least recruiting ranking wise) that Ross does. He's only a year ahead of Ross. Hawthorne, obviously, is a veteran backup. Would you be totally surprised if Ross beats out Morgan and Hawthorne (and others) and becomes the starter at WLB?
ReplyDeleteI would be slightly surprised, but not totally. Morgan is a smart guy, too, and it still took him half a season to usurp the WILL job. Whoever starts at WILL, I will most likely be a fan. There are lots of good options.
DeleteI agree with you. It's nice to be talking about talented freshman potentially challenging returning starters and knowing that, either way, a good option will emerge. Have to feel good about our defensive back 7.
DeleteMorgan is going to be tough to beat out. For a true freshman who played predominantly QB in HS, he played way above expectations last year. And Mattison loves the kid. With all of these good LB's, maybe we will see more situational substitutions and planned rotations next season. Last year, the substitutions were more often than not punishments for not getting the job done.
ReplyDeleteDidn't Morgan play both ways in HS? Expectation were low. He exceeded them, sure, but he was still the defense's weakest link and got picked on by opposing coaches. It's encouraging that he seemed to improve though. I'm just saying Morgan has to get better to keep the job.
Delete