In the spring, 247 Sports ranked Jordan Ross, Vestavia Hills’ 6-foot-5, 230-pound senior defensive end, the No. 1 recruit in Alabama in the Class of 2024, describing him as a “total athletic freak of nature.”By Rubin E. Grant
Jordan Ross hears all the wonderful things being said about him, but he’s not taking it to heart.
In the spring, 247 Sports ranked Ross, Vestavia Hills’ 6-foot-5, 230-pound senior defensive end, the No. 1 recruit in Alabama in the Class of 2024, describing him as a “total athletic freak of nature.”
ESPN 300 ranks him the 24th best recruit in the nation.
Rebels head coach Robert Evans labeled Ross as “the top-ranked recruit in the history of Vestavia Hills High School.”
For Ross, such talk is merely yada, yada, yada.
“I don’t really listen to all of that,” Ross said. “I see myself as one of the guys, trying my hardest to be the best player I can be. I don’t like talking about all that other stuff.”
But Ross, whose nickname is “Childs Play” because of his attachment to his Chucky doll when he was younger, is more than just another guy on the football field. Playing on the edge, he’s a physical presence and dominant force. During the 2022 season, Ross recorded 49 tackles with 16 tackles-for-losses and 2.5 sacks. He also forced several fumbles and scored two defensive touchdowns.
“There are not many people like him,” Evans said. “He runs the 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds. It’s hard to find someone with his type of body and his skill set.
“He’s kind of quiet, but he’s self-motivated. He just continues to get better. If he stays healthy, he should make a lot of money one day. He’s an NFL talent and hasn’t even scratched the surface of what he is going to be one day.”
Ross began playing football when he was in kindergarten, but when he reached the sixth grade he quit.
“I just got tired of playing,” he said. “I stopped in the sixth and seventh grades.”
Instead, Ross played basketball, which he began playing in the third grade.
Following his two-year absence, Ross returned to the football field in the eighth grade with a commitment to get better.
Let Him Roam
Evans, who had been a defensive coordinator at Hoover and Mountain Brook before returning to his alma mater as head coach last year, added another dimension to Ross’ game. He allowed Ross to roam around, to take more advantage of his athleticism.
“Before Coach Evans came, I didn’t drop back in pass coverage,” Ross said. “I was more of a defensive lineman/defensive end. But now I’m dropping back into coverage and doing some other things.”
Pass coverage is fine, but what Ross really likes is rushing the quarterback.
“I have two personal goals this season,” he said. “I want to try to have the most sacks in school history and try to win a state championship and beat the best teams on our schedule.”
Ross also is embracing a leadership role on the Rebels’ defense.
“I’m encouraging my teammates to get better and in different schemes to get in the right stance and play the right way,” he said.
Ross continues to play basketball. Last season, he averaged 9.2 points, shooting 64% percent from the field, 8.1 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 1.0 blocks, helping the Rebels reach the Class 7A Northwest Regional final and finish with a 25-5 record.
But his future is clearly football.
“We’ve never had a guy that has been as nationally prominent as Jordan, especially in the age of social media,” Evans said. “When he gets to college and is just a football player and starts eating right and getting in a college weight-room program, he’s really going to become a physical specimen.
“I just hope he goes to a school with a great program. I’d love to see him stay in the South.”
Ross is still trying to make up his mind about where he wants to play at the next level. He has more than 20 offers, including Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, LSU, Texas, USC and Oregon.
“I’m still thinking about a number of schools,” Ross said. “I haven’t narrowed it down. The deciding factor is going to be my relationship with the coaches.”
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