Jacksonville wideout has a leader

Jacksonville (Fla.) The Bolles School wide receiver Rocky Ross has been riding the wave of a 10-0 season. He’s hoping he can carry that wave right into recruiting and his eventual college career.

“I’ve been talking to Louisville, Central Florida, Vanderbilt, Georgia Tech and Northern Illinois,” Ross said. “Louisville is my early favorite. They recruit hard from Florida, and they’re winning right now. They’re going into the Big East BCS style, and I know Terrance Butler (strong safety) there. He told me everything about the area. One of my friends from our team, John Russell (defensive end), has an offer there and we’re both really interested.

“I have an offer from UCF, and I think Coach McCarty (Defensive line coach) is a really good guy. I have more respect for him than anyone else I talk to because of the kind of person he is.”

With time dwindling before he has to make a decision, Ross said he is closer to setting up official visits.

“I will visit Louisville and UCF, and we’ll see if there’s anyone after that,” he said. “But I’m planning on going to state, so after that we’ll see. I’m not going to go between rounds of the playoffs.”

Ross put up impressive numbers, catching 42 passes for 860 yards in a nine game season. Still, his stats were made even more impressive when considering the offense he was running them in.

“We’re in the playoffs, and it’s been real fun playing different teams. We’re 10-0, so I have no complaints. We run the wing-t system, so some games we just run the ball 50 times, but as long as we win it’s ok with me.

“I’m like Plaxico Burress: I can go over the middle or be a deep threat. I can also be a physical back and block because I’ve been playing in the wing-t. Once I get my hands inside, it’s real fun to block and take defensive backs out.”

Ross has recorded a 4.5-second 40-yard dash and 33-inch vertical leap.