Freshman Jordan Ross debuts for Tennessee football in fall camp

Tennessee freshman defensive lineman Jordan Ross discusses taking part in first fall camp practice with the Vols.

Defensive lineman Jordan Ross enrolled at Tennessee in June after signing with the Vols on Dec. 20, 2023.

The 6-foot-5, 245-pound lineman took part in Tennessee’s first fall training camp practice on Wednesday at Anderson Training Center.

Ross met with media following practice and discussed his one takeaway from the first day.

“Getting all the plays down in time,” Ross said. “It’s going so fast that you have to look at them and understand what you are doing in all the play calls and formations. It was pretty solid, though, and I liked it.”

READ: Tennessee’s projected 2024 defensive starting lineup

Fourth-year head coach Josh Heupel also met with media after the Vols’ first practice in fall training camp. He discussed what he wants Ross to learn from veterans in the defensive line room.

“Learn what it takes to be a high-level college athlete,” Heupel said. “How you take care of your body, how you do extra inside of our building. That can be in our meeting room, it can be fundamental development on your own during the summer months. It’s what it looks like to be the consummate pro.

“We’re fortunate that as we’ve built this thing, we have guys who have the right accountability to the daily task. Guys that understand what it takes to do your plus one, meaning everybody in the country is lifting a certain amount of hours, a certain amount of practice hours during the week during the season. How do prepare yourself? What’s your plus one to gain an edge? That’s in your position room as we’re competing for playing time, but it’s also against your opponents that you’re playing.”

Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

How to watch Tennessee signees in 2024 Polynesian Bowl

How to watch Tennessee signees in the 2024 Polynesian Bowl on Friday.

The Polynesian Bowl will take place Friday at Kunuiakea Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Kickoff is slated for 9 p.m. EST and will be televised by NFL Network.

The Polynesian Bowl is contested with top high school players, while celebrating culture. The game is held annually during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week.

The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame class of 2024 consists of Dwayne Johnson, Reno Mahe and Domata Peko.

Inductees were selected from a field of over 100 nominees by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee, including inductee Jack Thompson, coach Dick Vermeil, coach Ron McBride, inductees Olin Kreutz, Kevin Mawae, Ray Schoenke, broadcaster Neil Everett and NFL Network’s Steve Wyche. All living Polynesian Football Hall of Fame inductees also vote.

Below are Tennessee signees competing in the 2024 Polynesian Bowl. All players signed with the Vols during the early signing period.

Early signing period: Jordan Ross signs with Tennessee football

Early signing period: Jordan Ross signs with Tennessee football

The 2023 early signing period is taking place Wednesday-Friday for Tennessee’s 2024 recruiting signing class.

The 2023 early signing period is Josh Heupel’s third as Tennessee’s head coach. He was hired as the Vols’ head coach in Jan. 2021.

Tennessee’s 2023 recruiting class ranked No. 10 nationally (247Sports Composite). The Vols’ first recruiting class under Heupel in 2022 ranked No. 17 nationally (247Sports Composite).

Jordan Ross signed with the Vols on Wednesday during the early signing period.

Jordan Ross’ recruiting bio:

  • Position: Edge
  • Height: 6-foot-4
  • Weight: 233 pounds
  • School: Vestavia Hills High School (Vestavia Hills, Alabama)

READ: Tennessee football early signing period tracker for 2024 class

READ: Tennessee football NCAA transfer portal tracker

Florida EDGE target commits to SEC East rival program

The Florida Gators were once considered the favorite to land four-star edge rusher Jordan Ross, but he picked Tennessee instead on Monday.

The Florida Gators have loaded up on elite linebackers in the 2024 class, but that might be one of the reasons Vestavia Hills (Birmingham, Alabama) edge rusher [autotag]Jordan Ross[/autotag] committed to the Tennessee Volunteers over UF and others on Monday.

The Gators hosted Ross on an official visit in June — as did Georgia and Texas — but it was his trip to Tennessee that won him over.

“At different times, I did have Florida up there and Texas was high too,” Ross said to On3’s Chad Simmons. “After the official visit to Tennessee is when Tennessee moved ahead of those two schools. It was that family feeling there that made a big difference for me. Coach Heupel, Coach Harbin and Coach Ekeler made me feel at home.”

Florida isn’t hurting too badly, even though Ross sits at No. 34 nationally on the On3 industry rankings. Jamonta Waller and Kendall Jackson can both play the JACK, and both are four-star recruits.

It’s hardly surprising to see Ross go to Tennessee given the circumstances at Florida. Hopefully, letting him slip away to a conference rival won’t come back to bite the Gators.

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Social media reaction after five-star Jordan Ross commits to Vols

A look at social media reaction after five-star Jordan Ross commits to Tennessee football.

2024 five-star edge prospect Jordan Ross announced his commitment to Tennessee on Monday.

He committed to Tennessee over Alabama, Florida and Texas.

The 6-foot-4, 230-pound edge prospect is from Vestavia Hills High School in Vestavia Hills, Alabama.

Ross is the 20th commitment in the Vols’ 2024 recruiting class.

He joins cornerback Kaleb Beasley, defensive lineman Carson Gentle, athlete Marcus Goree Jr., athlete Jonathan Echols, quarterback Jake Merklinger, offensive tackle Jesse Perry, offensive tackle Gage Ginther, safety Edrees Farooq, defensive lineman Jeremias Heard, edge rusher Kellen Lindstrom, running back Peyton Lewis, athlete Boo Carter, linebacker Jordan Burns, offensive lineman Max Anderson, wide receiver Braylon Staley, offensive lineman William Satterwhite, wide receiver Mike Matthews, linebacker Edwin Spillman and offensive lineman Bennett Warren.

2024 SEC football recruiting rankings after Jordan Ross commits to Vols

Following Ross’ commitment to Tennessee, Vols Wire looks at social media buzz and is listed below.

2024 SEC football recruiting rankings after Jordan Ross commits to Vols

Updated 2024 SEC football recruiting rankings after Jordan Ross commits to Tennessee.

2024 five-star edge prospect Jordan Ross announced his commitment to Tennessee on Monday.

The 6-foot-4, 230-pound edge prospect is from Vestavia Hills High School in Vestavia Hills, Alabama.

The Vols have 20 commitments in the 2024 class.

Ross joins cornerback Kaleb Beasley, defensive lineman Carson Gentle, athlete Marcus Goree Jr., athlete Jonathan Echols, quarterback Jake Merklinger, offensive tackle Jesse Perry, offensive tackle Gage Ginther, safety Edrees Farooq, defensive lineman Jeremias Heard, edge rusher Kellen Lindstrom, running back Peyton Lewis, athlete Boo Carter, linebacker Jordan Burns, offensive lineman Max Anderson, wide receiver Braylon Staley, offensive lineman William Satterwhite, wide receiver Mike Matthews, linebacker Edwin Spillman and offensive lineman Bennett Warren.

Following Ross’ commitment, Vols Wire looks at updated 2024 SEC football team recruiting rankings from On3. Updated 2024 SEC On3 team industry recruiting rankings are listed below.

Five-star 2024 edge prospect commits to Tennessee

2024 five-star edge prospect commits to Tennessee.

Five-star edge prospect Jordan Ross announced his commitment to Tennessee on Monday.

Ross committed to the Vols over Alabama, Florida and Texas.

The 6-foot-4, 230-pound edge prospect is from Vestavia Hills High School in Vestavia Hills, Alabama.

Ross is the No. 12 overall prospect and No. 2 edge player in the class of 2024. He ranks as the No. 1 edge prospect and No. 1 player in Alabama, according to 247Sports.

Ross earned first-team All-State, All-Region and All-Metro honors as a junior in 2022. He finished the season with 49 tackles, 16 tackles for a loss and two defensive touchdowns.

Following Ross’ commitment, Tennessee’s 2024 class ranks No. 6 nationally and No. 4 in the Southeastern Conference.

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Vols’ five-star defensive line target announces commitment time

Vols’ five-star defensive line target announces commitment time for Monday.

2024 five-star defensive lineman Jordan Ross will announce his college commitment Monday at 8 p.m. EDT.

Ross’ finalists are Tennessee, Florida, Texas and Alabama.

The 6-foot-4, 230-pound edge prospect is from Vestavia Hills High School in Vestavia Hills, Alabama.

Ross is the No. 12 overall prospect and No. 2 edge player in the class of 2024. He ranks as the No. 1 edge prospect and No. 1 player in Alabama, according to 247Sports.

The 2024 prospect officially visited Tennessee on June 23. The Vols are a favorite in Ross’ recruitment, according to On3s RPM.

Tennessee has 19 commitments in its 2024 recruiting class. Ross would be the second five-star commitment for the Vols, joining wide receiver Mike Matthews.

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No. 1 Alabama edge prospect sets commitment date, Vols named finalist

No. 1 2024 edge prospect sets commitment date and Tennessee is named a finalist.

2024 four-star edge prospect Jordan Ross will announce his commitment on Aug. 21.

Tennessee, Florida, Texas and Alabama are Ross’ finalists.

The 6-foot-4, 230-pound edge prospect is from Vestavia Hills High School in Vestavia Hills, Alabama.

Ross is the No. 34 overall prospect and No. 4 edge player in the class of 2024. He ranks as the No. 1 edge prospect and No. 5 player in Alabama, according to On3 industry rankings.

Ross earned first-team All-State, All-Region and All-Metro honors as a junior in 2022. He finished the season with 49 tackles, 16 tackles for a loss and two defensive touchdowns.

The 2024 prospect officially visited Tennessee on June 23. The Vols are a favorite in Ross’ recruitment, according to the On3 RPM.

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Texas target, five-star edge Jordan Ross sets commitment date

The No. 1 overall prospect in Alabama will be announcing his decision next week.

One of the top players in the 2024 recruiting class has set a commitment date. Continue reading “Texas target, five-star edge Jordan Ross sets commitment date”