Super Soph Linebacker eying Penn State, others in Big Ten

The recruitment of James "Biggs" Ross Jr. will likely be an epic, multi-year battle among The Usual Suspects of the Big Ten...

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In his first year of high school football after starring for the Detroit Police Athletic League's Westside Cubs, Ross emerged as a standout performer for Orchard Lake (Mich.) St. Mary's. The 6-foot, 210-pounder had 103 tackles, five sacks, five forced fumbles, seven fumble recoveries, and an interception while keying the defense for a team that went all the way to the state title game.

How does Ross view himself?

"I emulate a Ray Lewis on the field. I like how he plays, and I try to imitate everything that he does. It really fits me how he plays."

Ross, who already has an offer from Michigan State, visited Michigan for a recent Junior Day...

"The visit was real good. The coaches were talking and then they came over. I knew something was up. I was supposed to call them earlier that week, but didn't.

"When Coach (Rich) Rodriguez came and talked to me for a while, he told us why they wanted to talk to me earlier in the week. He said I had an offer. It was just lots of love.

"Basically just the facilities they had, everything - it all really surprised me. I did not know it was like that up there."

Ross's dad is a Michigan fan, so he's a lock to be a future Wolverine, right? Not so fast, my friend!

"I was always an Ohio State guy. I kept it to myself. It really wasn't that big of a deal. My family always gets mad when I bring up Ohio State. They just say that I do not understand the success that Michigan has had."

And what about Linebacker U?

"There is another school, Penn State, that we're looking at. They recruited Rob Bolden from our school and he committed to them as a quarterback. So Coach Vanderlinden has been talking to me. I actually sent him my highlight tape and he said he really liked it."

The bottom line? Stay tuned!
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