If I were starting a college football team, I would want four Brandian Ross‘s in my defensive backfield.  Ross, who shares the duty of captain with DL Torrance Nicholson, showed versatility last week in a loss.  Ross was asked to slide over to safety to cover for the injured Andre Elliott.  His coverage was superb, just like it is at corner.  This guy is no Average Joe, he is a player, a superb player.  Last week in the Penguins win over Southern Illinois, Ross was named Missouri Valley Conference Defensive Player of The Week. Don’t expect the recognition, praise and awards Ross will get by season’s end to end there.  If I were a betting man, I would pick Ross to be First-Team All Conference at the end of the season.  Sold Yet?

Here are a few of the highlights in the career of Ross at YSU:

• Lettered as a freshman.  Given the Special Teams Player of The Week Award vs Stony Brook and again vs Indiana State.
• Honorable Mention All Missouri Valley Conference as a sophomore.  Led entire team with 98 tackles.  Led special teams with 15 tackles.  Played a team-high 724 snaps.  Named Hill Barth & King Defensive Player of The Week for his great effort against Indiana State.
• As a junior he was named Defensive Player of The Week for the Pitt game.  Received the Derek Pixley Hit of The Week against Northeastern.  Started all 11 games at a new position, cornerback, making a successful transition from safety.
• Ross leads the team with 189 career tackles, including 26 this season.  He also leads the team in career starts with 27.

Sold Yet?

There is a whole side of Brandian Ross that most people don’t know about.  His personality is outstanding and he stays humble and grounded despite his numerous on-field accomplishments.  Ross commented on being a defensive co-captain.  “I don’t see myself as any more important than a teammate just because I am a captain.  On the field, Torrance [Nicholson] and I handle the calls and penalties, but it isn’t an ego thing.  Whoever is closer to the ref can declare whether to accept or decline penalties.“

Ross talked about his friendship with defensive backfield associate, Andre Elliott.  “Dre is probably my best friend on the team we have the same major and have a lot of classes together plus he is the roommate of my brother.  You gotta respect him [Elliott] because he does the whole parenting thing with his kids, but we hang out when we can.”  Ross is majoring in Psychology and Criminal Justice.

When it came to food, Ross was definitive about his choice.  “There is nothing better than Wendy’s Spicy Chicken Sandwich.  It is a number six on the board and it satisfies.”

The most comical answer I got out of Ross was when he answered what he liked best about Youngstown State.  “The girls”, replied Ross, “There are some pretty women here.”  Cant blame the guy for his honesty.

Ross keeps busy.  Between classes, practice, study tables, meetings, and meals, there is little time for anything else.  However, Ross makes time for one essential.  “I love Twitter .  I Tweet something everyday after practice and usually update throughout the day.  Dre [Andre Elliott] turned me on to it and now I am pretty well into it.  The most famous person that follows me is Donald Jones.”

Ross also expressed his mad passion for video games, including the red hot 2K11.  He uses an Xbox and will play online against friends.

It is refreshing to know that there are student athletes who have their head and their heart in the right place.  I don’t believe I have ever interviewed someone so close to both since I started covering YSU Football.  Keep grinding BRoss, keep grinding!