He parlayed
that season with one of the more impressive performances at the Scout.com combine
that was held in New Orleans last Spring when measured in at 6' 0", 310 and
ran a camp best 5.2 forty for the 300 plus pounders.
How has Joel's senior
campaign gone?
"It has been going good," added Joel Ross. "We
are waiting on the playoffs to start. We play Leesville in the first round Friday.
We finished the regular season 9-1. We should have finished 10-0, but we got a
good seed in the playoffs. We are going to try and keep it together for five more
weeks. We just have to take it one game at a time."
Ross did not have
his stats available but believes he has more than held his on.
"I
would give myself an A because I went out there and played as hard as I could
helped my team win games. That is why I would give myself an A. I do not regret
anything."
Becoming a leader has also been a vital role for Joel.
"Being
a senior, it is almost forced upon you, but in the past, we did not have good
leadership so we didn't want to have another class like that. We have had some
bad ones in the past."
Which colleges have extended Joel a scholarship?
"I
have written offers from Ole Miss, Oklahoma State, Oklahoma, and Arkansas."
Which
colleges are keeping in weekly phone contact?
"Mostly from Ole Miss
and Oklahoma State. I am thinking the weekend after the state championship game
on December 8th, I am going to have to take a visit to Oklahoma State. I do not
know when I am going to visit Ole Miss yet."
Does Arkansas keep in
phone contact?
"Oh yea, I am talking to them. They call, but not as
much as Ole Miss and Oklahoma State do, though."
What are the Hawgs
telling Joel?
"They just told me I can come in there and start next
year. They think I can be a good player for them. They also want me to come in
for an official visit"
Does Oklahoma make phone contact?
"I
have not heard from them in a while, but they send me hand written letters every
day. I guess that is how they keep in touch."
What is Ole Miss telling
Ross?
"I talk to coach (Brad) Villavaso every week. He use to be our
head coach over here, so we have a good relationship. He is trying to set up an
official visit, but I do not know when that is going to be yet. It will be towards
January, probably. Our season will not get over until the middle of December,
if we do all of the way."
What kind of impact does that have on Ross
to have his former head coach coaching at another school?
"Well, he
was my head coach from 8th-11th grade, so yea, it plays a little part of my decision
because I know he would love to have me up there. I am not going to base my decision
on that, but at the same time I would be lying if I said he is not going to play
a little role. It is always good to have someone you know and trust already up
there."
What about Oklahoma State?
"I know their defensive
line coach. He calls all the time wanting me to play for them. He is always calling
with a lot of energy. He asks how I am doing in my games and wants me to set up
an official visit. He is a pretty cool dude. I have been keeping me eye on them.
They have been beating some good teams like Nebraska, so."
When it
does come decision time; what will be the main factors?
"I want to
come in and make an impact right away. I want to know the kind of system they
run; does it fit me? I like to be free. I mean, I take on double and triple teams
every game, but I feel I do my best in one on one situations. I love playing out
of the three technique."
Watch Video