Where things stand with hometown recruit Jackson Ross after South Carolina visit
With one official visit left, Jackson Ross’ recruitment is winding down and a timeline is set for announcing his college choice.
South Carolina, Texas Tech and Vanderbilt are the three finalists for the Hammond three-star linebacker.
“I think I am going to be announcing where I am headed kind of late June or early July,” Ross told The State on Monday. “There is some pressure to stay home and there are a lot of benefits to that that would be cool. On the other hand, it would be awesome for me to go make a name for myself somewhere else.
“… I grew up a Carolina fan, but there are opportunities elsewhere. I am still trying to figure out what is the better option here.”
Ross said having the opportunity to win and get on the field are two of the biggest things he is looking for in his colleges.
The 6-foot-3 Ross visited the hometown Gamecocks over the weekend. USC has a lot of things going in Ross’ favor, including that his father, David, is a former basketball player for the Gamecocks. Former Hammond teammate Mike Tyler was his host on his visit and is making a push to have Ross join him at USC.
The visit included a cookout at head coach Shane Beamer’s house Friday, an event on Saturday at the indoor facility with food trucks and then brunch at Colonial Life Arena on Sunday.
Ross got to spend a lot of time with defensive coordinator Clayton White and new linebackers coach Trey Money. He was one of eight players on official visits, which also included defensive line commitment John Archer.
“My favorite part of the Carolina visit was that they brought us all into the defensive room and showed us each other’s film and showed us what kind of players are around us,” Ross said. “I got to see, if I were to choose South Carolina, the incoming defensive tackles that I would be playing behind. For a linebacker, the defensive tackles eating up those blocks are big.
“Ever since they offered me, they have been here a good bit and I’m talking on the phone with them around three times a week. They are good guys. I like the way they play the linebackers. They are aggressive, play fast and out in space making a lot of plays. They have done a great job and reinforced this weekend why I fit into their defense and why I would be a good fit there.”
Ross’ South Carolina visit came a week after his trip to Nashville to visit Vanderbilt. The Commodores have a lot of momentum after their 10-2 season, the first in program history. Vanderbilt has been able to land some big recruits including, five-star quarterback Jared Curtis (Class of 2026).
“The culture at Vanderbilt is great. They kind of embody they aren’t the most talented team in the SEC, but they know there are other ways to win,” Ross said. “They value having the hardest-working guys in the country … and being able to out-scheme and out-work teams.”
Ross and his family leave Thursday for his final official visit at Texas Tech. He took an unofficial there in the spring. The Red Raiders have a few things working in their favor with the program coming off their first College Football Playoff appearance. Hammond also runs a similar defense to Texas Tech.
Ross also has a connection through Hammond head coach Jon Wheeler with the Texas Tech program. Wheeler coached with Red Raiders defensive coach Shiel Wood and assistants Rob Greene and Jack Teachey when they were at Wofford. Hammond’s defense is basically a scaled-down version of what Texas Tech runs, Ross said.
“Their facilities are elite, one of the best in the country,” Ross said of Texas Tech. “I kind of already know how I would fit in their defense and how I would fit in there.”
Wherever Ross lands, he said he will be shutting down his recruitment. He won’t be enrolling early because of class schedule and will play basketball for his father, the Skyhawks’ head coach, one last year. He also is playing AAU basketball this summer for Charleston-based Middleton Hoops of the NIKE EYBL circuit.
Ross had 102 tackles (22 for loss), eight sacks, eight QB pressures, and eight pass breakups this past season. He also caught six touchdown passes as a tight end on offense and helped out as a kicker, hitting the game-winning field goal in the regular season against Heathwood Hall.
As a sophomore, Ross had 134 tackles (14 for loss), 12.5 sacks, six pass breakups, two interceptions, 17 quarterback pressures and scored three defensive touchdowns.
With a college choice imminent, Ross will be able to focus on his senior season for the Skyhawks. Hammond had its SCISA state championship streak end last year at eight with a loss to Heathwood Hall in the semifinals.
“We have some unfinished business. Last year didn’t turn out like we wanted to,” Ross said. “... There definitely is a different energy this year. Something like that happens is kind of a blessing in disguise because there was a little bit of complacency. … But there is a different energy, and it started on the first day of spring. Everyone has a different competitive edge and chip on their shoulder, which is good because we haven’t had something like that in the last few years. Everyone is ready to start another streak.”
