Donelly drawing attention
When Ross Donelly moved to the Houston-area from St. Lucia at the age of seven, soccer was his sport. He was a defender and a goalie. However, once introduced to the game of football in the seventh grade, he quickly knew he found his sport.
"I like football way better, you get to be more aggressive," Donelly said.
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His coaches at Cy-Fair noticed his talents too, and just a couple of years later he was a key contributor as a freshman varsity defensive tackle on his way to second-team all-district honors.
"It was nerve racking at first but after I got the hang of it it was pretty cool," Donelly said
It helped to have 2011 17-5A Defensive MVP Zach Danford lining up next to him and helping him along the way.
In 2012, Donelly again earned second-team all-district honors, as Cy-Fair finished the season with a 7-4 record.
College coaches have taken an interest in the 6-foot-2, 300-pound standout. Mail has come from Oregon, Baylor, LSU, Mississippi State, Northwestern, Oklahoma, and Texas A&M. This summer he attended one summer camp.
"I went to the (Texas) A&M camp. It went alright," Donelly said. "It was awesome. Coach TP (Terry Price) was really cool. He was pretty funny too."
His first offer has not arrived, but the Aggies are one program that has made their presence felt at this point.
"I've only really been in touch with (Texas) A&M," Donelly said. "They just say they like the way I play and they'll keep in touch with me."
He is not naming any favorites but did say Texas A&M is "up there" and he does hope to make it back to College Station to watch a game in the fall. Oregon and Baylor are also programs he would like to check out.
For now though, his focus is on his 2013 season with the Cy-Fair Bobcats. He is no longer the freshman looking up to others. He is now the junior two-time all-district defender and a team leader. It's a role he is enjoying.
"I can't rely on others to make plays if I mess up now that I'm older and have more experience and taking on a part as a leader on the d-line," Donelly said. "I like it. You get put in the spotlight a little bit more."