Elite EDGE Jordan Ross commits to Tennessee: 'The program is on the way up'

Birmingham (Ala.) Vestavia Hills four-star EDGE Jordan Ross planned to take his recruitment later into his senior year.

But after official visits in June, schools began separating themselves. And one in particular moved to the top of the heap. On Monday, Ross announced publicly for Tennessee, choosing the Volunteers 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,” he 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.”

Ross has been to Rocky Top six or seven times now, and he feels differently around the coaches and players in Knoxville than he does anywhere else. He thought Tennessee was where he wanted to go after his official visit, but took the month of July to be certain.

“My connection with the coaches and players, how the players always welcomed me and how I felt at home were the main reasons I picked Tennessee,” he said. “It was just easy with all of the people there. After the official visit I knew. I took more time to make sure, but I have known. I let Tennessee know a couple of weeks ago and it feels great to make it public.”

Josh Heupel was key in Ross’s recruitment

One of the biggest differences for Tennessee was also the involvement of head coach Josh Heupel in the pursuit of Ross.

“Coach Heupel has been very involved with me,” he 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 also felt the passion for Tennessee’s program on each of the different visits to Knoxville, and he believes that Heupel and his staff are taking the program to the peak of college football.

“Everyone loves it at Tennessee, and the program is on the way up,” he said. “The recruits are coming in, and Tennessee is going to compete with Alabama, Georgia and programs like that for SEC and national championships. They are there now and the program is only getting better and stronger.”