Tennessee EDGE commit Jordan Ross is new 5-star in updated On3 Industry Ranking

After On3’s latest ranking updates, Birmingham (Ala.) Vestavia Hills EDGE Jordan Ross is now a five-star prospect in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Ross, a Tennessee commit, is now the No. 28 overall prospect in the cycle and is one of 32 five-star prospects in the class. He’s also the No. 4 EDGE and No. 3 player in Alabama. The 6-foot-4.5, 215-pounder committed to the Volunteers on Aug. 21 over Alabama, Florida and Texas.

“At different times, I did have Florida up there and Texas was high too. After the official visit to Tennessee is when Tennessee moved ahead of those two schools,” Ross told On3. “It was that family feeling there that made a big difference for me. “Coach Heupel, Coach Harbin and Coach Ekeler made me feel at home. They took me around, we hung out at the lake and that feeling was different for me. That is what pushed Tennessee to the top.”

Josh Heupel was very involved in Tennessee’s recruitment of Ross, which stood out to the blue-chipper. Ross is getting close to double-digit visits on Rocky Top, including a big official visit that he took at the end of June.

“Coach Heupel has been very involved with me,” Ross added. “We have talked for a long time. He was in contact with me a lot and that meant a lot to me. Usually it is a position coach that recruits guys, so Coach Heupel recruiting me so hard made a big impact on me. He showed me I was important and I really go to know him.”

Ross is now the second five-star to join the Vols’ 2024 class, which ranks No. 7 in the nation, per the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Ranking. He flanks Lilburn (Ga.) Parkview wide receiver Mike Matthews, the No. 15 overall prospect and No. 4 wideout in the cycle.

Ross has an On3 NIL Valuation of $208K. The On3 NIL Valuation is the industry’s leading index that sets high school and college athletes’ projected annual value (PAV). The NIL valuation does not act as a tracker of the value of NIL deals an athlete has completed to date. It rather signifies an athlete’s value at a certain moment in time.

Jordan Ross Scouting Summary

“Athletic EDGE prospect with the physical ability to develop into a dangerous pass rusher. Measured in 6-foot-4.5, 215 pounds with a 33.5-inch arm prior to his senior season. Registers as a top athlete in the combine setting. Posted a 4.68 second electronically-timed 40-yard dash at Under Armour’s Atlanta camp prior to his senior season.

Lines up all over the field for his high school. Works on the edge and as an off-ball linebacker at times. Makes most of his plays as a pursuit defender, using his athleticism and range to track down plays from sideline-to-sideline. Has palpable burst and play speed. Needs to improve his technical skill as a pass rusher and increase his play strength, base and anchor. Flashes his athleticism as a basketball player. Younger for the cycle with a May birthday.”