Biggs named to Rival's AA team
Congrats to James Ross, who was named to the Rivals High 2011 All-America Team as an OLB, in a free article today.
They state "Ross led his team to a state title win in Michigan - and did so with impressive states, including 151 tackles, 13.5 tackles for a loss and four sacks. Ross reminds us of Jon Beason of the Caroline Panthers and may move inside at Michigan. He and Kirby [the ILB selection] could have swapped roster spots based on their projections"
Good for him. Also, I love the hat.
December 28th, 2011 at 11:13 AM ^
Congrats to James! Can't wait to see him in maize and blue causing havoc to opposing offenses.
December 28th, 2011 at 11:17 AM ^
I think he'll be a great one for Michigan. He has all the tools for the making of a very solid college LB. A few inches would help for the NFL (I think he is listed at 6') but with is build, he should be solid.
I think the O-line recruiting has taken the spotlight (as it should have) but the LB (Bolden, Jenkins-Stone, Ross, Ringer) haul is just as good. Yayy!!!!!
December 28th, 2011 at 11:20 AM ^
I agree about our LBs. They're very instinctive (instinctual?), which seems crucial at the LB position.
Plus, add in Ojemudia to that group as a stand-up rush defensive lineman/outside linebacker used to blitz QBs like Von Miller, and we are just loaded at that position in this class.
December 28th, 2011 at 11:37 AM ^
Same could be said about our DL class, with high caliber players all over the line, and our DB class if we can nab Wright or Reeves. We're pretty much loaded all around except for some skill position players who we don't necessarily need atm.
December 28th, 2011 at 1:33 PM ^
London Fletcher is 5'10"
December 28th, 2011 at 11:33 AM ^
After watching his highlights it doesn't surprise me one bit. One of the best defensive highlight tapes I've seen, especially for his size. Congrats Ross.
December 28th, 2011 at 11:41 AM ^
Why does it say Ross may be moved inside? He plays Inside Linebacker, and that's his projected position in college. I know we have a few other guys who can play inside in this class, but if Ross didn't play inside, wouldn't that mean Ross may be moved to outside? Or, if he plays inside at Michigan wouldn't that mean he would remain at Inside? I'm so confused!!
On Another Note --- I love the shirt Ross is wearing:
December 28th, 2011 at 11:55 AM ^
is photobombing him.
December 28th, 2011 at 11:56 AM ^
Biggs and Bolden will be the future at LB for Michigan. Not a very bold prediction in some eyes. But what I mean by the "future" isn't just the future starters. I mean I think they'll be the next two GREAT LBs at Michigan. I mean Irons, Foote, Jones, Gold, etc.
I truly see both guys starting along with a RS Junior and RS Senior Jake Ryan in 2-3 years. I think it'll be the best LB corp in the conference when Ryan is a RS Senior (unless he eventually moves to WDE).
We've had good talent, but we had guys like Crable and Burgess that took so long to learn the position and develop. I think Desmond Morgan certainly has the smarts, but I think he's limited a little athletically. Biggs and Bolden have a nice combination of both and I think it'll help them see the field early and develop into STUDS. And I hate when people use that word to describe football players.
December 28th, 2011 at 12:34 PM ^
December 28th, 2011 at 3:18 PM ^
I wouldn't disagree with that at all...I watched Morgan in HS and when many people underestimated his film (ala Drake Johnson this year)...I said he'd be a real player at Michigan. He played QB in high school and looked very similar to Tim Tebow out there. Then he'd turn around and play LB as well. A kid who plays QB AND LB? That's a kid that is smart and LOVES football.
I definitely could see him manning the middle and being a Jordan Kovacs...a kid who is always doubted but never leaves the field. The only reason I've said otherwise is because I think Ross and Bolden are those types of players too...just with a little more athletic ability. It's definitely not a BAD problem to have.
December 28th, 2011 at 12:44 PM ^
We suddenly have a wealth of LB talent, the coaches have an awesome problem on their hands, how do they play them all? Ryan and Gordon, Demens and Beyer, Morgan and Hawthorne and Poole, and now bringing in Ross, Bolden, JRS, and Ringer. Hungry tacklers will be rotating in like mad pretty soon.
December 28th, 2011 at 12:00 PM ^
Congrats to James Ross, well deserved!
I wonder if these announcements will affect Rivals rankings of players. I'm always hoping Rivals and other services continue to refine the ratings they hand out, I guess that's my organized brain talking. I know there are different ways to rate players, some on performance, others on potential. Ross rates very highly on both, to me, so I wonder how Rivals views their AA class. Looking at how they went to the trouble to recognize these outstanding kids, and then point out their star rating, it seemed odd that roughly half of the kids on this list were rated at only 4. Are they saying these kids are the best, or had the best senior year, ect.? I think these kids have also earned the 5 star rating, at least by Rivals.
December 28th, 2011 at 12:08 PM ^
Is Biggs Ross's nickname, or is that someone different? I haven't followed this stuff that closely.
December 28th, 2011 at 12:19 PM ^
It is his nickname ... a lot of people don't know this either ... he's also one hell of a hockey player
December 28th, 2011 at 1:08 PM ^
but I will be. It's Rivals', not Rival's. Rivals didn't change its name to Rival, so apostrophe on the outside.
Back to the topic, though. Ross is my favorite of the LB commits in this class. He's going to be a hell of a WLB at Michigan. I think he can push for immediate minutes.
December 28th, 2011 at 1:32 PM ^
Haha caught being lazy. I actually thought about that for about .5 seconds but had already closed the tab and didn't feel like opening it again.
December 28th, 2011 at 2:16 PM ^
I'm so stuck in the past. I saw "Biggs" and immediately thought of #91, Rondell Biggs.