Vols signee Jordan Ross becomes newly minted 5-star, nation's top EDGE
The final On300 rankings have been revealed for the 2024 class on Monday morning, and one Tennessee signee is now a newly minted five-star. Vestavia Hills (Ala.) EDGE Jordan Ross is now the No.7 overall recruit and top-ranked EDGE prospect in the 2024 recruiting class.
Ross was previously rated as the No.38 overall prospect and No.4 EDGE in the class. Ross also moved up to the No.2 overall prospect from the state of Alabama for the cycle.
His rise up the rankings folows dominant showings at the Under Armour All-American Game and the Polynesian Bowl, coupled with an elite season on the gridiron at Vestavia Hills.
Ross totaled 72 tackles, 23 tackle for loss and 12.5 sacks during his senior season. He has also shown his overall athletic ability on the basketball court this winter, as he has been dominant for Vestavia Hills in that setting as well.
On3 Director of Scouting and Rankings Charles Power has been high on Ross’ ability for some time now. Following the release of the updated rankings, he shared with Volquest on why the touted edge climbed all the way to No.7 overall.
“We were able to see the vast majority in person at the national all-star games, and Jordan Ross looked to be the most complete prospect of the bunch,” Power told Volquest. “I think Ross certainly has the look of an ascending prospect when you look at how he played as a senior, and additionally how he looked not only at the Under Armour game but also the Polynesian Bowl. Ross has continued to improve. He was productive as a senior at Vestavia Hills with 23 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks. I think we saw him settle in and take off. A lot of his best plays as a junior were in pursuit where he showed off his athleticism and running sideline to sideline. I think he really developed as a pass rusher as a senior and that was fully on display. We have known Ross was a top athlete at the position. At 6-4.5, 215 pounds, he was running in the 4.6s back in February. I think really saw all of the athleticism coalesce into a very dynamic pass rusher. At Under Armour, I think he had the quickest first step of anybody we saw. He us a very fluid, twitchy athlete. He was outstanding in practices and the team periods. I think he won the vast majority of the one-on-one reps we saw him take and had an explosive sack in the game. Then you flip over to the Polynesian Bowl, and I thought he was the best player on the field by far. He showed an outstanding effort level in addition to the athleticism. I think he has a natural pass rushing skillset and has the movement skills you look for with his ability to bend and paired with his physicality and effort level, bodes really well for his upside and ability to make an impact in Knoxville.”
On3 Scouting Evaluation of Jordan Ross
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. 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.
