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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — After an offseason in 2019 that was spent on hyperbole and a lofty build-up, then-middle linebacker Josh Ross barely got to see the field that season. But it wasn’t due to play, as he only saw time in the first three games, initially, due to injury.
Ross went on to redshirt that season, having played just 106 snaps after playing more than double that the year before while splitting time at the WILL linebacker position with Devin Gil.
While he missed hitting nearly more than anything — something he’s still waiting to do as Michigan has yet to practice in pads this year — the biggest thing he missed was the camaraderie that comes from playing with his teammates.
“Just playing with my brothers,” Ross said. “But most importantly, playing with my brothers. Going into battle, going into war. Injuries are so tough and so unpredictable, but at the end of the day, I’m so glad I went through that experience and growing from that experience. And developing more watching film or kind of like a player-coach type of thing. But I’m so prepared for this season, I’m so ready for this season and excited – especially coming off of an injury.”
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Now Ross shifts back over to the weak side, with standout Cam McGrone coming on strong in relief last year at middle linebacker.
With Michael Barrett — the former Valdosta (GA) Lowndes quarterback — taking over the VIPER position from the now-departed Khaleke Hudson — Ross has lofty expectations, not just of himself, but of the group as a whole.
“My expectation is we’re gonna be the best linebacker group in the country,” Ross said. “And he feels exactly the same way. The talent he has, the talent I have – together we could be the best. So we’re prepared and we’re ready to go do it.”
But what’s really helped Ross come along is knowing the assignment of two positions.
Getting his start at WILL, he made the move last offseason to MIKE, where he was drawing comparisons to Devin Bush with his range and penchant for hitting. That cross-training and knowledge of both WILL and MIKE he feels will help him out that much more now that he’s back on the weak side.
“Yeah, it helped me tremendously,” Ross said. “Learning both positions is so helpful, not just for our defense, but for me especially, knowing what’s going on with both linebacker positions, knowing where my help is coming from from the back end (and) knowing what the front’s doing on both sides. It’s very helpful. I really feel like it’s gonna benefit our defense this year, for sure.”
Ross is also being coached now by Brian Jean-Mary — his third linebacker coach in the past three years. The former USF defensive coordinator took over the position group after Anthony Campanile unexpectedly departed for the Miami Dolphins this offseason.
As far as his relationship with Jean-Mary is concerned, Ross is excited to have him aboard.
“Yeah, that’s my dude,” Ross said. “One of those coaches you always want on your side. A very enthusiastic guy, a very passionate guy. Knows his stuff. Just being around him, his energy goes off on the players in a positive way. He’s a great dude, a great coach and I’m glad we got him on our staff this year.”
Michigan is set to open the season on Oct. 24, with the opponent still pending as the Big Ten has not yet released the eight-game regular season schedule.
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