I will never understand why they would willingly call themselves O.J. in this day and age, but O.J. Ross (Given name: Oliver Lamont) does. Maybe he doesn't want to go with Oliver, but Lamont is a solid name. If having the name O.J. is going to make him run from defenders like he's in a white bronco I am all for it.
O.J. Ross - Fr.
Hometown: Ormond Beach, FL (Mainland HS)
Wide Receiver
5'10", 175 pounds
2010 projection: contributor at wide receiver
Dorien Bryant was our last big-time receiver that played immediately. Ross is very similar to Bryant, only with better hands. He is going to play immediately, and will likely be utilized in the slot position. He has the same tools as Bryant: blazing speed. We might even see Ross back on kickoff returns. He was one of the top players in all of Florida last year and earned a four-star ranking from Rivals.
More importantly, Ross brought some friends that will play as freshmen with him. All signs seem to point to Ricardo Allen playing at cornerback, while Jonathan Linkenheimer might be a kickoff specialist. He committed just after the upset of Ohio State last season, turning down a lot of higher profile offers to come here. Michigan, Florida, and North Carolina had interest in him, but unlike Roy Roundtree, he stayed with Purdue on signing day.
This is a guy that lets his highlights speak for him. I'd like to see some more added on Saturday.
More Florida Speed
Boilermakings Notes:
Bade, freshman catch seniors' eye | jconline.com | Journal and Courier
It's early, but seniors Robbie Hummel and JaJuan Johnson are impressed with the way sophomore forward Patrick Bade and freshman guard Terone Johnson are playing in open gym and during individual workouts.
International trips pay off for 3 Boilers | The Journal Gazette | Fort Wayne, IN
D.J. Byrd, Sandi Marcius, and Lewis Jackson enjoyed their time playing overseas.
Lots of ESPN stuff from the Summer Shootaround:
Summer Shootaround: Big Ten - ESPN
A full look at the conference.
Big Ten Buzz - College Basketball Nation Blog - ESPN
It is clear we are going to surprise people with how deep we are now.
Best Case/Worst Case: Big Ten - College Basketball Nation Blog - ESPN
Best Case: We win the tile. Worst Case: We don't