Things are about to start getting very busy for Emanuel Ross as one of New Jersey’s top athletes has several prominent official visits lined up.
Ross, a 6-foot-2 and 190-pound wide receiver from Red Bank Catholic (Red Bank, N.J.), is a three-star recruit and the seventh-best player in the state according to 247Sports. He is coming off a Rivals New Jersey camp last weekend where he was among the best players in attendance.
He tells Rutgers Wire that he currently has four official visits lined up in June, starting with Stanford on the first weekend of the month. He then will visit Kentucky the following weekend, take a midweek visit to Michigan State and close things out with Texas A&M.
One program that is making a late impression on Ross is Nebraska, with Ross citing a relationship with their running backs coach.
“Recently I’ve been in communication with Nebraska. I know coach E.J. Barthel from UConn. Now I’m starting to build a relationship with Nebraska,” Ross said.
“They reached out awhile back, but now they’re reaching out a little bit more.”
Barthel is part of Matt Rhule’s first coaching staff at Nebraska since taking over the program this offseason.
Ross, who plays as a wide receiver and a defensive back, is also a standout performer in spring track. As for which programs are showing him the most attention, he says several schools are standing out in that regard.
“Stanford is in hard pursuit, I have a good relationship with them. Illinois was in early on me,” Ross said. “Kentucky has been showing me strong interest as well. Texas A&M is a new one but we’re building a connection now too.”
While he has position versatility, Ross said he would prefer to be a wide receiver in college. Michigan State and Stanford have both offered him as a defensive back, something he said he is very willing to play at the next level.
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Name, Image and Likeness is also part of the equation for Ross. It just isn’t the most important component, he says.
“NIL is a great opportunity for us athletes but I wouldn’t want to base my recruitment straight off of it. I don’t want to make my decision off an NIL package,” Ross said.
“I’m looking for a combination of academics – I’d like to see a school that helps its student-athletes prioritize time management.”
He is hoping to make a decision sometime in June or July. Ross will rely on advice from his parents and his advisor, Latish Kinsler, in helping to guide his decision.
Kinsler, a former standout college player at Cincinnati who played in the NFL and arena football, is advising a number of top New Jersey athletes including Nyier Daniels and Yasin Willis among others.
“He definitely has a lot of connections at the next level. He has friends who coach at the next level. He helps me understand the process,” Ross said.
“He also is really helpful with NIL and (he) helps to advise on the possibilities that are present for a student-athlete.”
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