Alexandria, AL – Alexandria’s Ross chooses preferred walk-on route to Alabama, looks forward to chance to prove himself with elite program
By Joe Medley
Antonio Ross announced his college choice Wednesday to quite a roar in Alexandria High School’s Larry R. Ginn Gymnasium. The gathering of coaches, teammates, classmates and family cheered like Alabama just scored a touchdown. Who knows what kind of applause his initial school choice would’ve won him, and Ross hopes to prove that maybe the Crimson Tide did score with him.
The one-time Liberty commit who decommited when Hugh Freeze left Liberty to become Auburn’s head coach turned down full-scholarship offers from “Group of Five” schools and accepted a preferred walk-on offer with Alabama. Ross’ decision to take the PWO with Alabama comes a day after Alabama coach Nick Saban announced he turned away two recruits seeking more than $1 million in NIL money, including a 2023 defensive back seeking $800,000.
Ross, also a 2023 defensive back, has a different approach. “I’m going to walk in and earn it,” he said. “I’m not just going to feel like I have everything given to me or, like, I’m a big dog. “I’m going to walk in and make sure I earn everything.” Ross is a first-team all-state and All-Calhoun County pick. He was the preseason choice for Class 4A-6A all-county player of the year.
A running back/defensive back/kick returner in high school, he rushed for 1,381 yards and 26 touchdowns. He accounted for 1,904 all-purpose yards and 28 touchdowns. On defense, he had 72 tackles (32 solo) and two interceptions. Ross’ scholarship offers included Jacksonville State, UAB, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Liberty, Memphis and Tulane. He took visits to most of them. [read more…]
