It did not take long after the NFL draft concluded on Saturday for Notre Dame College (NDC) and Villa Angelo St.Joe's (VASJ) product Marvelle Ross to get the call from his agent Greg Diulus of Vantage Management Group. With stay at home orders still in place the specifics of the contract are not yet known. What is known is the Jaguars had Ross in there sights from the outset. Jacksonville General Manager David Caldwell is a John Carroll Alum. The Jaguars showed a lot of interest in Ross as a return specialist. The man who was arguably the best kick and punt returner regardless of divisions had 10 return touchdowns this past season. By comparison the two main returners for the Jaguars were Dede Westbrook who returned 23 punts for an average of 5.7 yards per return, and Mike Walker who had 18 kick returns for 411 yards on the year.
Derrick Brumfield was a teammate of Ross's and had these thoughts about his explosiveness:
" Marvelle is one of the most explosive players i've ever played with. I'm extremely proud because i've seen the work he put in, and I know every time #7 touches the rock something special happens."Brumfield explained.
Current NDC Head Coach Mickey Mental has had a front row seat for the career of Ross, as he was the team's offensive coordinator before being named Head Coach. He had these thoughts:
" So proud of this man, he has come a long way. One of the most competitive players I have ever coached. Go set the standard #7!"Mental said.
Mike Jacobs was the NDC coach until he took the job at Lenoir Rhyne after the 2019 season. He was beyond excited for Ross:
" I couldn't be happier for Marvelle. If people knew how much he has overcome and grown in the last five years. He has absolutely earned this opportunity and i'm beyond proud of him"Jacobs stated.
Ross was sitting at his house watching TV with his girlfriend when he got the call from his agent. "He told me it was the Jaguars. We were really really happy, just thankful for the opportunity. At the end of the day it's football. The only difference now is it's at the biggest level."Ross explained.
After receiving the news Ross called his mom:
" I think she was more excited than me."Ross stated.
The next call was to longtime trainer and friend Monroe Hillsman, an assistant track and field coach at Euclid. Ross had this to say about his friend and trainer:
" Coach Hillsman has been there for me since day one in 2013."
In the second the phone call came Ross did take a minute to reflect:
" Playing for D6 VASJ, and then DII NDC being my only offer I had to stay focused on and off the field."
Ross had 5,456 career all purpose yards, 2,727 career receiving yards, and averaged 59 receiving yards per game as a Falcon. The two time All-American had 38 career touchdowns. Jaguars receiver's coach Keenan McCardell told Ross he will for sure be in the mix on special teams, and he will get a shot at receiver.
Connor Henry was a member of the receiving corps with Ross and he said what many were thinking:
"My guy "Velle" to the Jags though. I'm turnt! Man i'm speechless."Henry mentioned.
His quarterback at NDC Chris Brimm agreed:
"Proud of my boy "Velle" man, he deserves that."Brimm said.
Tavion Hooks was also a teammate of Marvelle's:
" "Velle" really gated, this is so crazy."Hooks said.
Shahaun Williams was also an All-American at NDC and gave his thoughts on what is to come from Ross and the Jaguars:
"My dawg "Velle" really in the league though. I'm turnt for bro!! He about to show ya'll that division mess don't matter."Williams opined.
The fact that he signed in this uncertain time in our world just makes the feat all the more impressive. Let's hope there is a season so Marvelle can show the world what "Falcon Nation" already knows.
Photo courtesy of Lianna Holub: Ross in the open field in playoff game versus West Chester.
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