'12 MI ILB James Ross III (Michigan Verbal)

[Ironman8]

Inside Linebacker
Orchard Lake, Michigan
St. Mary's High School

Ht: 6'1"
Wt: 215 lbs
40:
GPA: NA

Rankings:
Rivals: 250 Watch List
Scout: #2 MLB
ESPN: 150 Watch List

Offers:
Notre Dame
Arizona State
Cincinnati
Illinois
Indiana
Michigan
Michigan State
Missouri
Ohio State
Penn State
Pittsburgh
Purdue

ND Recruiter:
Chuck Martin

 

[Ironman8]

He took an unofficial to ND today, and picked up a ND offer per Scout and Blue and Gold.

 

[Irish Man3]

Got to put some serious meat on that frame to play ILB. I'd like to pull some top recruits out of Michigan and fight for some in Ohio as well. Good to see he is interested enough to make it on campus early.

 

[woolybug25]

Perfect size for safety?

 

[mgriff]

Perfect size for safety?

Just have to find out how fast he is, how fluid his hips are, his ball and coverage skills, and he's good to go!

 

[DoverShores]

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[Irish.Ca]

Just have to find out how fast he is, how fluid his hips are, his ball and coverage skills, and he's good to go!

The only time I talk about fluid hips are when it involves the ladies at the "ballet"

 

[nsisk157]

haha

 

[Irish Man3]

Good nose for the football and plays with a lot of intensity.

 

[Ironman8]

Penn State offered. They know something about Linebackers I believe.

 

[IrishInColumbus]

If Ohio State and Penn State offered, he's good enough for the Irish to be offering 215 or not.

 

[aubeirish]

If Ohio State and Penn State offered, he's good enough for the Irish to be offering 215 or not.

If he got an offer on campus, I am sure he is every bit of the 215 pounds.

 

[Ironman8]

Will be at OSU's spring game this weekend.

 

[NewEnglandGuy]

Just throwing it out there, but according to Scout and Rivals, also offered by Nebraska (a week after our offer) and u$c. Great offer list.

Big time player, hopeing he is excited about ND and is closer to 6'2" 230 in about 16 months (especially if he chooses to be part of the family).

 

[rtrn2glory]

i'm not as much interested in the height as i am in the speed. his size gives him the bowling ball look and we need guys that can run...there's been a lot of good linebackers that are not tall...london fletcher in the nfl has had a very nice career and he's only 5'9".

 

[Old Man Mike]

If he's fast and a closer, then I understand all the interest. I believe that college football is going "rapidly" to speed and defensive closing ability rather than massiveness [especially at outside linebackers who will cover in space and blitz.] My opinion is that the difference in mass between 220 and 240 isn't worth it if it steals some arrival time. We've seen some "small" players just this past year who gave us holeyhell. We may be a little slow to get off our imprinted bias towards "Big Ten-oldstyle" here. I'm actually hoping that Kelly and Diaco wean us off that at certain positions in time.

 

[Ironman8]

Committed to Michigan. They are really cleaning up on LBs in this class.

 

[rtrn2glory]

Wow...very elite linebacker class and all of them could see the field as Freshmen.

 

[IrishLax]

Now this is NOT an average recruit. Big pick up for the Wolverines... I know there were rumblings of this for a long time but it is huge for them to seal the deal.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

You have to believe they will be getting some high profile CBs too. I mean they are an injury way from having to trot out the towel boy to play corner.

 

[Riddickulous]

If Brady Hoke does not bring Michigan back to elite status, he's going to get the talent for someone who will.

 

[Irish Man3]

Yea and the talent is being brought in on the defensive side of the ball. They are racking up linebackers in this class. If the class sticks, its a good start. With a sub-par year in the Big10, you might see one or two of these LB's leave in pursuit of playing time or a better team.

As of now, awesome defensive class. I still like our start better but they are making strides.