The Wolverine

March 2017 Recruiting Issue

The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports

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74 THE WOLVERINE MARCH 2017 2017 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE BY LELAND MITCHINSON In the 2017 Michigan recruiting class, the linebackers have a case to make as being one of the best — if not the best — position groups in the new crop of Wolverines. It really shouldn't come as a sur- prise to anyone that the hometown member of that group decided to go blue when it came to choosing a col- lege team. Orchard Lake (Mich.) St. Mary's linebacker Joshua Ross will follow in the footsteps of his older brother James (2012-15) in playing linebacker at Michigan, and James' influence on Josh was a big factor in his final decision. "It definitely affected me coming up," Ross said. "Just having someone to look up to. Seeing all the success he went through and just following in his footsteps definitely affected my life, and I'm happy to have him." Ross is one of the highest-rated prospects from the state of Michigan, with all four major recruiting services ranking him among the top five play- ers in the state's class of 2017. His prep numbers certainly back up the ranking. Ross recorded more than 120 tackles each of his final three seasons in high school, and in that time St. Mary's brought home three straight Division III state championships with Ross contributing on both sides of the ball. Ross also earned USA Today Michi- gan Football Defensive Player of the Year honors during his senior cam- paign after posting 136 tackles and 12.5 sacks, and forcing four turnovers. However, Ross realizes that those types of achievements come from more than just raw talent. "Every year the grind started with my teammates from the beginning of the year," Ross said. "Getting up at five o'clock in the morning and just building that bond with my team- mates. When the season came, every- thing was so natural and fun for all of us, and we all were doing well. "I feel like just having that bond with my teammates and having such good chemistry with everybody on my team and our coach allowed me to do so well." Ross also attributes some of his suc- cess to playing multiple sports in high school, which contributed to his versa- tility on the field. He plays basketball at St. Mary's and believes that every kid should play more than one sport growing up. He also thinks that his background in multiple sports and his experiences playing both ways in prep football will give him a leg up when playing at the college level. Ross should also benefit from being in a comfort zone once he arrives on campus. In addition to being familiar with Michigan from his brother's years in Ann Arbor, Ross was roommates with Drew Singleton at a Nike's The Opening camp and formed a friend- ship with his fellow linebacker and eventual Michigan signee. Adding to the comfort level, Ross was recruited — in large part — by Chris Partridge, who will be his position coach in col- lege. "I expect the experience with him as my position coach will be really great," Ross said. "When I started going up to Michigan — when he first got there — I always felt comfortable around him. I remember the first time I talked to him, he was in one of the practices and I was just talking to him on the sideline and kicking it with him." Ross has always bought into the team, the team, the team mentality that Michigan has routinely used as a motivational tool. He knows that he wouldn't have achieved what he did in high school without his teammates, and once he gets to college his goal is to do everything he can to be there for his teammates because, as Ross puts it, "the worst feeling is 11 guys on the field and you're the guy that's mak- ing the mistake for them to score the touchdown. So, just playing my role and doing the best I can do." "[Ross is a] very humble kid that plays strictly for his team and team- mates," St. Mary's coach George Por- ritt said. "That's what it's all about for him — the team. He's going to do it right and not talk about himself. "Instead, he likes to lead by exam- ple. He communicates well with his teammates and uses that for produc- tive purposes." Even though Ross is not yet sure ex- actly what his role will be in the next few years, he believes that the next step for him is to continue to become a smarter football player. Learning the new aspects of the college game and putting himself in the right place at the right time is what is most important to him at the beginning of his college career. Thanks to his brother, he under- stands the Michigan traditions and the work it will take to become great in the college game. With Ross at the center of a young and talented group of line- backers, the Michigan defense is set to continue its dominance. ❏ Joshua Ross Follows In The Footsteps Of His Older Brother Ross was named the 2016 Michigan Football Defensive Player of the Year by USA Today after racking up 136 tackles and 12.5 sacks. PHOTO BY BRANDON BROWN

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