Tavon Ross Commits to Missouri: Versatile Athlete Spurns Georgia for Tigers

Missouri's Gary Pinkel high-stepped his way into Georgia and snuck 3-star athlete Tavon Ross right under the Georgia Bulldogs' nose.

The Macon Telegraph's Seth Emerson jumped all over the news this morning, acknowledging Georgia's missed opportunity to gain another versatile athlete.

The Bulldogs scored earlier this morning by landing 4-star athlete Isaiah McKenzie, but McKenzie is projected to play wide receiver at the collegiate level. Ross is expected to play on the opposite side of the ball, so the loss still pains Mark Richt and his staff.

Perhaps it was Richt's inactive approach toward the end of Ross' recruiting process that cost him another athlete.

Pinkel and his staff were practically family members for Ross. Missouri scored an in-home visit on Jan. 23 and held an official visit for the athlete on Jan. 31, per 247Sports. 

Ross obviously liked what Missouri's coaching staff was pitching his way, and it was enough to sway the Cochran, Ga. native away from his home state.

Ross played safety and served as a dual-threat quarterback in high school. He's a natural playmaker with the aggressiveness needed to play in an SEC secondary. That's not to say he's simply a defensive back, though. He carries the ball with ease and his coveted quickness should allow him opportunities to handle the ball.

He's an athlete that has great change of direction, but his tenacity and form tackling project him as a defensive back at the next level.

Either way, he should be able to play multiple positions on the field, including a special teams position.