JoeWeb78
No pain NO Gain
March 28, 2004
Ex-receiving sensation Ross to transfer
By Mark Alexander
[email protected]
The on-again, off-again relationship between Jackson State football coach James Bell and receiver Torey Ross is off for good.
Ross, who was in and out of Bell's doghouse this past season, has elected to transfer to another school.
"I don't really know where I'm going to go right now, but I'm definitely out of there," Ross said Saturday afternoon. "I'm not coming back. I just think it's the best decision at this time."
Ross, a rising junior, missed a few offseason workouts and also didn't participate in the first three spring practices this week, leading to further speculation that the Provine alum would not return to JSU for his final two seasons.
"We wish him well in all his future endeavors," Bell said.
The 6-foot-4 Ross burst onto the scene as a redshirt freshman catching 51 passes for 714 yards and six touchdowns in former offensive coordinator Darrell Asberry's pass-oriented attack. He was named SWAC Newcomer of the Year.
Ross' numbers and reps dropped this past season in the more run-oriented offense installed by Bell, however. He caught 36 passes for 498 yards and three touchdowns as the Tigers struggled to a highly uncharacteristic 2-10 record.
Ross' absence leaves a void in JSU's receiving corps, which lost leading receiver Tim Manning to graduation. Chris Jones, the Tigers' leading returning receiver, is sitting out this spring while recovering from off-season knee surgery.
Tight end Courtney Rogers is not participating in spring practice while concentrating on academics, Bell said.
Jones, a rising senior, had 49 catches for 551 yards and one touchdown this past season. He had surgery on his left knee Feb. 16.
"They went in and shaved it and then they repositioned the kneecap," Jones said. "It had been hurting for two years, but they kept telling me it wasn't too serious. I knew it wasn't right, though. It was best to go ahead and have the surgery now so I would be ready for next season.
JSU practiced three times this past week in shorts and shoulder pads. The Tigers are scheduled to practice four times this week, weather permitting. JSU's first spring scrimmage is set for Saturday at 12:30 p.m. on the main practice field. The spring game is April 17 at Newell Field.
Ex-receiving sensation Ross to transfer
By Mark Alexander
[email protected]
The on-again, off-again relationship between Jackson State football coach James Bell and receiver Torey Ross is off for good.
Ross, who was in and out of Bell's doghouse this past season, has elected to transfer to another school.
"I don't really know where I'm going to go right now, but I'm definitely out of there," Ross said Saturday afternoon. "I'm not coming back. I just think it's the best decision at this time."
Ross, a rising junior, missed a few offseason workouts and also didn't participate in the first three spring practices this week, leading to further speculation that the Provine alum would not return to JSU for his final two seasons.
"We wish him well in all his future endeavors," Bell said.
The 6-foot-4 Ross burst onto the scene as a redshirt freshman catching 51 passes for 714 yards and six touchdowns in former offensive coordinator Darrell Asberry's pass-oriented attack. He was named SWAC Newcomer of the Year.
Ross' numbers and reps dropped this past season in the more run-oriented offense installed by Bell, however. He caught 36 passes for 498 yards and three touchdowns as the Tigers struggled to a highly uncharacteristic 2-10 record.
Ross' absence leaves a void in JSU's receiving corps, which lost leading receiver Tim Manning to graduation. Chris Jones, the Tigers' leading returning receiver, is sitting out this spring while recovering from off-season knee surgery.
Tight end Courtney Rogers is not participating in spring practice while concentrating on academics, Bell said.
Jones, a rising senior, had 49 catches for 551 yards and one touchdown this past season. He had surgery on his left knee Feb. 16.
"They went in and shaved it and then they repositioned the kneecap," Jones said. "It had been hurting for two years, but they kept telling me it wasn't too serious. I knew it wasn't right, though. It was best to go ahead and have the surgery now so I would be ready for next season.
JSU practiced three times this past week in shorts and shoulder pads. The Tigers are scheduled to practice four times this week, weather permitting. JSU's first spring scrimmage is set for Saturday at 12:30 p.m. on the main practice field. The spring game is April 17 at Newell Field.
