St. Joseph LB Ahmad Ross Excited to Take His Talents to West Point
Ahmad Ross always had confidence in his football ability, but he took it to a new level during the final game of his sophomore year for St. Joseph Hammonton.
The game was played in a professional stadium and Ross did his part to imitate those who compete there on a weekly basis.
Dominating on both sides of the ball, Ross was the catalyst in St. Joseph’s (Hammonton) 41-22 win over Holy Spirit in the state Non-Public B championship at Met Life Stadium, home of the New York Giants and Jets.
Ross rushed for 135 yards and two touchdowns on eight carries. He also opened the scoring with a 15-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Three touchdowns in the state final is some performance for anybody, especially a sophomore.
“That was the best day of my life and the best feeling of my life,” he recalled. “To go out there in that stadium like that, that game really showed me I could play at a high level and really was a confidence booster.”
The fact that Ross enjoyed outstanding seasons as a junior and senior just added to the confidence. A running back-linebacker, this season he rushed for 1,112 yards (6.7 avg.) and 15 touchdowns. On defense he recorded 64 tackles, including 14 tackles for loss, while intercepting two passes.
During the summer, Ross announced that he would attend the U.S Military Academy (Army). Division I players were able to sign letters of intent on Dec. 16.
“It was a long recruiting process,” Ross said. “When I signed it was a great feeling, securing my childhood dream.”
Ross said he was 5-foot-7 and 120 pounds as a freshman but had a major growth spurt and was 6-0, 180 as a sophomore.
He now says he is 6-1 ½ and 218 pounds. Ross was recruited to be a linebacker at Army. With his speed, he should be an excellent ballhawk on defense.
Playing for a service academy carries a quite a commitment, which includes serving five years of active duty after graduation.
“It is a unique opportunity and I feel it is a commitment within a commitment,” Ross said.
Army plays in one of the best settings in college football at Michie Stadium, which has a breathtaking view, especially when the fall foliage is at its peak.
Ironically, due to COVID, Ross says he has not visited the campus yet but is looking forward to seeing West Point in person.
A Bridgeton resident, he said playing for St. Joseph’s, among the top programs in the state, has him ready to tackle the next level of competition.
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“It taught me how to become a man and we had a lot of discipline,” he said. “We practiced hard, worked hard lifting weights and it has prepared me for the next step in my life.”
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“It taught me how to become a man and we had a lot of discipline,” he said. “We practiced hard, worked hard lifting weights and it has prepared me for the next step in my life.”
© SouthJersey.com 2021. All rights reserved. This article or parts thereof may not be reprinted or reproduced by any other party without the express written consent of SouthJersey.com. For more information, please call 856-797-9910.
To receive special deals directly from SouthJersey.com, subscribe here.
For more Local Sports features, visit our South Jersey Sports page.
Author: Marc Narducci; Photo Courtesy of Indianapolis Colts
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