By: Brent Osborne, WVMetroNews.com
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Huntington High all-state football prospect Billy Ross has had an exciting offseason leading into his highly anticipated senior year.
The 6-foot-5, 295 pound lineman received an offer from Florida State in February – and the Power 5 offers continued from there, including Florida, Louisville, Marshall, Miami (FL), Michigan, Mississippi State, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Purdue, South Carolina, Virginia Tech and West Virginia, among others.
“It’s been awesome, very enjoyable,” Ross said. “Not many West Virginia kids get to experience this, it’s just a blessing and it is awesome.”
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Ross received word of the Florida State offer from Huntington coach Billy Seals during school lunch – a call that led to other offers that same day from West Virginia, Miami (FL) and Louisville.
“After that, I got two offers the next day,” Ross said. “And then it just kind of blew up from there.”
The quality of facilities has been one of the major attributes Ross has been impressed with during his on-campus visits. Louisville was already a scheduled visit for Ross even before the offers came his way.
“Their facilities are unbelievable,” Ross said of Louisville. “It seems to be that way everywhere.”
The in-state ties to both West Virginia and Marshall are also intriguing.
“I like them both,” he said. “Marshall (is in) my home town and I would be playing in front of everyone from my hometown every Saturday. And (WVU is also) in my home state. I’ve liked WVU and Marshall growing up. It’s an honor – I never thought I would get an offer from both of them.”
For Ross, narrowing down the list will include academics, what the football program is all about and being comfortable.
“I can’t go to a school I feel iffy about and expect to stay there for 4 years, I have to be comfortable,” he said.
But until he makes that decision, Ross will be focused on his prep for his senior season with the Highlanders.
“(I’m going to be) training, lifting and getting better at what I do,” he said. “(Huntington) is gonna be good (this season).”
The complete interview with Ross is posted at the top of the page.