Tennessee defensive end Jordan Ross has a simple goal
Seven months ago when many of his fellow signees were in the midst of winter workouts and learning their new teammates and new playbook, defensive end Jordan Ross was making his way up and down the basketball court at 215 pounds.
Today, Ross exceeds 245 pounds and is working to get settled in as the new guy in the Leo room.
On Wednesday, Ross got his first reality of college football and at Tennessee that means speed. It was that speed that was on Ross’ mind following his first practice.
“Getting all the plays down in time because it’s going so fast. You have got to look at it. You have to understand what you are doing and all the play calls and formations. I think it was pretty solid out there.”
Ross’s stock rose significantly throughout the fall jumping to a five star and becoming the highest ranked player in the Vols 2024 class. Now, Ross finds himself in a deep defensive line room trying to learn from veterans including projected first round draft pick James Pearce.
“He teaches me,” Ross said. “I sit beside him every day and he teaches me plays and how get to it down and learned it.
“I just know I can learn from the best and learn how to play. He’s a first rounder. He knows what he’s doing. He’s there for a reason.”
For Ross, the goal for this fall is a simple one, but a challenging one when you look at the depth at the LEO position.
“I’m trying to play,” Ross said of his goals for the fall. “I’m trying to play a lot. I’m trying to learn everything. I’m working on learning the playbook with the coaches. I’m here pretty much every single day trying to get everything down, Saturdays and Sundays working on plays.”
Defensive coordinator Tim Banks loves Ross’ upside, an upside that Banks says Ross is driven to reach.
“We are super excited about Jordan. The biggest thing to be honest with you is his size. You see those guys during the recruiting process, and I think our strength program has done a tremendous job of getting him stronger and getting him leaner. I just love his size. He is a kid that does not say a ton. It is nothing to walk through the football building to see him somewhere watching tape. I know he is a kid who wants to be great, and his work ethic aligns with that, we are excited for him. I think again as he continues to power through the playbook and take what he is learning from the playbook and apply it on the field. I think he has a chance to impact this program and help us in some way.”
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