Billy Ross Commits
Billy Ross, a 3-star offensive lineman from Huntington, WV, announced Sunday night moments before his team opened fall camp with a midnight practice he will play football at North Carolina.
"I just wanted to thank all y'all for coming out to our midnight practice and to watch me commit," Ross said, sitting with his parents before a large crowd. "I wanted to thank my family and my coaches for all the guidance and support they gave me. And for every coach that's offered me a scholarship, it's been a blessing to go through this, not many people get to go through this.
"And at this time, I want to commit to the University of North Carolina."
Ross, 6-5, 295 pounds, attends Huntington High School, and carries a 5.7 Rivals.com rating, meaning with a strong senior season this fall he could climb to a 4-star prospect.
Tennessee reportedly made a strong charge for Ross this spring and early summer late charge. Ross visited the Knoxville campus as well as Florida and Miami, but he made a fourth trip to Chapel Hill a week ago and in the end the combination of football, academics and comfort with the town and campus won over Ross.
“I love the school, I love Coach (Chris Kapilovic) Kap….” Ross told THI. “I love everything about it.”
Ross has also been offered by South Carolina, Oregon, Nebraska, Michigan, Florida State, Michigan State, among his 30 offers. For Ross, UNC was either in the lead or right nestled at the top with some other schools all along. The other schools he considered the most, however, are Tennessee, Florida State, Michigan State and Florida.
But Carolina was always a natural fit for Ross, who is rated the No. 37 player at his position nationally and the No. 2 overall prospect in West Virginia.
He won’t say it affected his decision, but getting to know fellow West Virginian Ryan Switzer and his father certainly didn’t hurt.
“When I was there (spring game), me and my dad chatted it up with his dad and his uncle,” Ross said. He’s from the same area, about 40 minutes down the road, (but) I’ve never talked to him. It’s kind of cool having a 304 guy there.”
The Switzers or not, Ross was probably headed to Carolina, anyway. In fact, there were rumblings he would pop for the Tar Heels the weekend of the Freak Show in June.
"It's a great thing they do bringing in these recruits,” he told Rivals.com after the event. “I really enjoyed myself and it was a great atmosphere. The attention brought to me by all the coaches was great. I feel wanted here. It's an amazing area, you can't beat it. The coaching was amazing and it's stuff I can work with. They’re my leader.”
And in the end, the Tar Heels were his choice.
“Great academics there,” Ross said. “You can’t beat it.”
Ross is the 15th member of the class of 2017 and is the 4th offensive lineman in the class. UNC intends on taking one more offensive lineman.
