Tampa DB has first offer
Junior to Watch: Mike Ross
School:Tampa (Fla.) Chamberlain
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Position: Cornerback and running back
Size and Speed: Ross is 5-foot-10 and 205 pounds. He has been timed in the 40-yard as at 4.47 seconds.
Honors: Ross earned a spot on the all-county team as a junior.
Statistics: On offense Ross rushed for 700 yards on 59 carries. He wasn’t sure of his defensive stats; however he did recall intercepting a pass and returning it for 98-yard touchdown.
Favorites: Ross doesn’t have a list of favorites yet, but he did grow up a Gator fan.
Skinny: Tampa, (Fla.) Chamberlain is the home of one of the better defensive backs in the state. Mike Ross, a cornerback, already has an early offer from Iowa State and he’s expecting more to be on the way soon. He’s also receiving mail from all across the country.
What advantages does Ross have over the average running back or cornerback in high school?
“While running with the ball, I have excellent vision,” Ross said. “I can see things that the other can’t. Playing defense, I trick the quarterback into thinking the receiver is open. When the receiver makes his break, I jump all over the pattern.”
Ross credits his defensive back coach at Chamberlain high for his development on and off the field.
“I’ve known Coach Haywood Bryant since I was little kid,” Ross said. "He’s been there to help out off the field, and he’s taught me lot things about playing defense. I’ve grown up in a single parent home, and he’s been kind of like my father figure.”
Ross wasn’t ready to name a favorite, but he did grow up a Gator fan. His two favorite college players were Reche Caldwell and Jaquez Green. He also mentioned that a couple of his friends and teammates are playing for North Carolina State and that could be factor down the road.