By Rubin E. Grant
Jordan Ross is always looking for ways to improve.
Even though Vestavia Hills’ dynamic 6-foot-5, 220-pound senior defensive end had a dominating 2023 high school football season, he wasn’t satisfied.
“I didn’t play my best,” Ross said. “I think I could have played a lot better. I was hoping to be dominant every game.”
Rebels head coach Robert Evans offered a contrasting viewpoint.
“He improved significantly from his junior year to his senior year,” Evans said. “I’ve never seen a defensive player make that kind of impact on that side of the ball and I was at Hoover when they had Christian Bell and Marlon Humphrey.
“Jordan was a game wrecker. He was dominant in 10 of the 11 games we played and forced his will on people.”
Ross recorded 62 tackles and 19 tackles for losses. He was particularly dominant as an edge rusher, recording 11 sacks, 19 quarterback pressures and six pass break-ups as the Rebels finished the season 9-3 and reached the second round of the Class 7A playoffs.
Over the Mountain football coaches were impressed, voting Ross as the 2023 OTM Defensive Player of the Year.
Ross was surprised to receive the honor.
“I didn’t think I’d get it to be honest,” he said. “I felt really blessed when I found out.”
Ross credited Evans and Rebels defensive coordinator Shawn Raney for his effectiveness.
“Coach Evans and coach Raney put me in position to rush the passer and play the run,” Ross said.
Ross liked the way the Rebels progressed as a team throughout the season. Two of their losses were in competitive games to Class 7A runner-up Thompson.
“From a team perspective, it didn’t end the way we wanted, but we got better every week and it turned into a good season overall,” Ross said.
Ross will sign with Tennessee on Dec. 20 during the college football early signing period.
“He is as good a prospect to ever come through Vestavia,” Evans said. “He’s an NFL talent.”
One of the reasons Ross chose Tennessee is Volunteers’ defensive line coach Rodney Garner, who recruited him.
“Tennessee constantly hit me up and got to know me and my family,” Ross said. “I formed a really great relationship with coach Garner. He texted me all the time.”
Ross said he has to become better using his hands to fend off blockers at the next level and has to put on weight and muscle.
“They think I can get to 240-250 pounds and keep my speed,” he said.
Ross also plays basketball for the Rebels, but he’s not looking to take the court in college.
“That absolutely would be a stretch,” he said with a laugh.
Vestavia Hills swept the OTM player of the year awards with Rebels quarterback John Paul Head being voted the 2023 OTM Offensive Player of the Year.
“I think that shows how hard we worked,” Ross said. “I’ve known J.P. since I was in the second or third grade and he was a captain, a leader of the team.”
Ross heads up the 2023 All-OTM Team defense. Vestavia Hills senior defensive back Spence Hanna is also on the squad. Hanna had 90 Tackles, two tackles for losses, a forced fumble and three pass break-ups.
Briarwood Christian landed three defenders on the team: senior defensive lineman Luke Dickinson, senior linebacker Jack Cornish and senior defensive back Grey Reebals.
Mountain Brook, Homewood and Hoover put two players each on the defense.
Representing Mountain Brook are senior linebacker William Grier McDuffie and senior defensive back Tucker Crawford. McDuffie recorded 140 solo tackles, eight tackles for losses, five sacks and two interceptions. Crawford had 23 tackles, three tackles for losses, two interceptions and three pass break-ups.
Homewood’s representatives are junior linebacker Talton Thomas and sophomore defensive back John Griffin. Thomas had 88 tackles, 10 tackles for losses and an interception. Griffin had 77 tackles and four interceptions.
Senior linebacker Bradley Shaw and junior defensive back JJ Moultrie are Hoover’s representatives.
Rounding out the team are John Carroll Catholic senior defensive lineman C.J. Wyatt, Oak Mountain senior linebacker Jacob Porco and Spain Park junior defensive lineman Nik Alston, who recently transferred to Thompson.
Wyatt had 38 tackles, 12 tackles for losses, 4.5 sacks, nine quarterback hurries, two interceptions and a forced fumble. Porco had 72 tackles, 20 tackles for losses and two sacks. Alston had 30 tackles, seven tackles for losses and 3.5 sacks.
Vestavia Hills junior Owen Simpson is the punter. Simpson averaged 36.8 yards per punt with a long of 52 yards and had eight punts downed inside the 20-yard line.
