Gators EDGE Target Jordan Ross Shares Commitment Date
Vestavia Hills (Ala.) edge rusher Jordan Ross has an end in sight for his recruitment.
On Tuesday, the nation's No. 36 overall player and No. 4 edge rusher in the 2024 class announced his intentions to come off the open market on Aug. 21, choosing between four programs: Alabama, Florida, Tennessee and Texas, according to On3 Sports.
Ross visited Gainesville on the first official visit weekend of the summer, June 2-4.
During the trek to UF, he was offered transparency, namely when speaking to position coach Mike Peterson and other Florida staff members regarding his projected role and path to early playing time.
He left comfortable with the program and his fit into the defense as a result.
"I think I fit pretty great in their scheme," he told All Gators moments after his multi-day stay concluded. "They're gonna want me to move around and be versatile in their whole defensive scheme. I like it because, at my school, I move around a lot, just like they do."
His fellow Alabama native and freshman edge rusher Kelby Collins — a prized pull for Florida in 2023 — chipped into the Gators' recruiting efforts in an attempt to lure in another Yellowhammer State prospect.
Before departing from Gainesville, he suggested the potential for his pledge to continue into the season.
However, after further exploring his options in the ensuing weeks of June and July, the uber-talented Ross is comfortable choosing his future program on Monday. In recent weeks, the Gators emerged as a top contender for Ross' services, expectedly battling at the top with SEC East foe Tennessee to earn his pledge.
Alabama and Texas have also remained involved.
However, after the commitment of Gainesville-based edge Kendall Jackson, the Gators' momentum for Ross has seemingly cooled as they now hold two JACK prospects in Jackson and Picuyane (Miss.) Memorial's Jamonta Waller in the commitment class.
Nonetheless, Ross would be a welcomed plus-one for Florida if he deems orange and blue threads the best fit for him at the next level, given his elite-level athleticism and traits.
Florida currently sits at 22 commits in 2024 after earning blue-chip cornerback Wardell Mack's pledge on Monday. UF has the propensity to add anywhere from three to six more before the class ends on National Signing Day.
The sweet spot for prospective prospects the Gators look to acquire this cycle is 25, although it's not a hard cap.
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