6 days later ...
Lydell Ross reconsiders, but Irish land Ellick
By VAUGHN McCLURE
Tribune Staff Writer
The Super Bowl wasn't the only football action going on in Tampa Sunday.
On the same day Notre Dame may have lost a football recruit from the Florida city, the Irish picked up a prospect from the same area.
Lydell Ross, a 6-foot, 210-pound tailback from Tampa's Gaither High School, is no longer committed to Notre Dame. Ross said Sunday night that he is now considering the University of Florida along with Notre Dame and will make a decision between the two schools on signing day, Feb. 7.
Dwight Ellick, a 5-foot-11, 170-pound defensive back from Tampa's Wharton High, verbally committed to the Irish Sunday afternoon, choosing Notre Dame over North Carolina, Syracuse and Rutgers.
Ellick said N.D. gives him the best chance to showcase his cover skills. The cornerback runs the 40-yard dash in 4.29 seconds. This past season for 2-8 Wharton, Ellick had 70 tackles, four interceptions and 16 pass breakups.
Ellick believes he will make an immediate impact at Notre Dame.
"I can guarantee that the best receiver on the other team will not have any catches against me," Ellick said. "I think I can come to Notre Dame and get that starting job. The coaches already told me that."
Ellick will be reunited with Irish offensive coordinator Kevin Rogers, Ellick's little league baseball coach in Syracuse, N.Y. The Ellick family moved to Tampa this past summer. Rogers' wife, Betty, was Ellick's grade school gym teacher.
"It's going to be tight (cool), being around them again," Ellick said. "They really know how to make you feel comfortable."
Ellick was a bit surprised that he wouldn't be joining Ross at Notre Dame.
"That's him, not me," Ellick said of Ross. "I'm not going to change my commitment. I've hinted to the Notre Dame coaches all along that I would be going there."
Things changed for Ross after he made an official visit to Florida this past weekend.
"I took things a little too fast," Ross said of his verbal commitment to Notre Dame last Tuesday. "I always have liked Florida. The Notre Dame coaches knew I was going to visit Florida. I just decided it was in my best interest to consider both schools."
Ross was touted as the second-best prospect to verbally commit to the Irish, right behind tight end Mark LeVoir from Eden Prairie, Minn. Recruiting analyst Tom Lemming tabbed Ross as the nation's 40th-best prospect (LeVoir is 27th).
"I can see a kid changing his commitment from three months ago, but not from just several days ago," Lemming said. "He shouldn't have committed to Notre Dame in the first place. This would be a major loss for Notre Dame, especially since the Irish aren't having much success this recruiting season."
Ross, who gained more than 5,000 yards in his career at Gaither High School, told the Tribune last week that his commitment to Notre Dame was "solid." He made the pledge following an in-home visit from Irish coach Bob Davie and three other members of the N.D. coaching staff.
Ross also told the Tribune he would not make an official visit to Florida, which he did.
Ross' change of heart is surprising, considering his South Bend ties. His father, Melvin, was a standout in football and track at South Bend's Central High. Melvin has favored Notre Dame from the beginning.
"I think Lydell will still end up at Notre Dame, considering how much his father loves the school," Lemming said.
Ross said his family supports his latest decision.
"My family is leaving it all up to me," Ross said. "I'm just going to sit here and consider both schools up until signing day."
