Michigan Commit Josh Ross Aims to Follow, and Pass, His Brother's Footsteps

A super-competitive nature and the feeling of never being satisfied—two characteristics of 4-star linebacker and Michigan commit Josh Ross that not only helped him land 17 reported offers but also have some Michigan fans prematurely viewing him as one of the next great linebackers in the Big Ten.

Those characteristics may have got their wheels thanks to an unseasonably hot day in the greater Detroit area roughly four years ago. Ross remembers making a decision that ultimately changed his life athletically.

"I was around 12, and my brother was a senior in high school," Ross said. "I was playing Little League, and we were at practice one day. It was too hot, like 90 or 95 degrees, and the heat index was over the limit where we couldn't practice, but my brother wanted me to still get some drills in.

"I told him I didn't want to do it. I remember he didn't talk to me for about a month after that. That still bothers me."

The older brother, former Michigan linebacker James Ross, knew the talent level his little brother had on the football field. All he wanted to do was take that talent to another level. It helped that little brother hated disappointing big brother at anything.

And when Josh finally began to listen and do the things his brother asked as a football player, the transformation from Josh being good to great—then great to elite—was noticeable.

Fast-forward to now. Josh, a standout at St. Mary's Prep in Orchard Lake, Michigan, is the nation's No. 6 inside linebacker and a top-200 player nationally in the 2017 class. He is the Wolverines' top-rated defensive pledge of a 12-player class currently ranked ninth among all 2017 recruiting classes.

He's also someone hoping to successfully follow in the footsteps of his brother. James was a major contributor for the Wolverines from 2012-16, starting 21 games at linebacker. On Tuesday, James fulfilled a dream of his own by signing with the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent.

Credit: James Ross

But if you ask James, Josh has the tools to write his own ticket when the time comes. In James' eyes, Josh can be an all-conference linebacker, an NFL draft pick and one of the best linebackers Michigan's ever seen.

"I'll be totally honest. I really feel like he's going to be way better than me," James said of his brother, a 6'1 ½", 221-pound linebacker who recently was invited to The Opening, which will take place in July in Beaverton, Oregon.

"In some ways, I didn't reach my potential at Michigan, but I'll never complain; everything happens for a reason," James said. "I feel like with the position he's in, he's going to have the opportunity to see how things go and really have a lasting career at Michigan. He can be one of the best."

Ross, according to the Detroit News, finished his junior season with more than 100 tackles and seven forced fumbles. He led St. Mary's to a second consecutive Division 3 state title in November.

The Opening linebackers coach Michael Fletcher, who played at Oregon and won two Grey Cup titles in the CFL, called Josh "a cerebral player" and the type of player Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh enjoys recruiting. Ross is a smart player who rarely makes the same mistake twice.

"He's improved dramatically this year from last year when I saw him," Fletcher said. "He's turned into a totally different player. He's that kind of guy Harbaugh likes, and he's coached guys like Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman. He's almost like a high school version of those guys in that he's a quick, hybrid guy who can cover in space."

Josh committed to Michigan in March over offers from Ohio State, Michigan State, Notre Dame and other programs. He said he had followed the Wolverines most of his life and really began building relationships with coaches under the Brady Hoke era when his brother went through the recruiting process.

When Harbaugh was introduced as Michigan's new head coach in December 2014, Josh made it a priority to not only connect with the new staff but also get his brother's opinions on what he should do with his recruiting process. While James never forced Michigan on Josh, he did make sure that he weighed every option considerably.

"I wanted him to have a choice on his own," James said, "but with him being around me for so long, he became a fan of Michigan himself. I know Notre Dame was a school he really liked. He also liked Michigan State and Ohio State. But I think everything was perfect with him and Michigan. He realized no other school could give him what Michigan could."

Josh added: "It's just a special place. Ever since my brother was there, it's always been in the back of my mind that Michigan would be the spot for me. After Harbaugh got there, and then after meeting with [defensive coordinator] Don Brown and see how his defense was, it was a dead giveaway."

Michigan fans are hoping to get similar—if not better—production from Josh as they got from James. In four years, James accounted for 188 tackles, including 35 as a senior.

Fletcher watched James qualify for The Opening in 2011, and now he's providing tutelage to Josh in 2016. He said they have their similarities on the football field, which is something Wolverines fans will appreciate.

"The first thing you notice is the football IQ they both have," Fletcher said. "You can tell [Josh] was sitting in the film room with his brother a lot. He likes dissecting things. If you've got the opportunity to have a brother who's been through what James has, and you take advantage of it, those natural instincts are almost second to none."

Fletcher added that Michigan is getting a "three-down guy" in Josh—the kind of linebacker who will deliver the big shot, make the key tackle, and also cover tight ends, slot receivers and outside receivers in passing situations.

James loves his little brother's motor and nose for the football. He said the biggest difference in him and his brother, however, is Josh's range. He's a longer athlete who uses that range to be a solid edge-blitzer.

Josh is excited about adding his chapter to Michigan's longstanding tradition. He still has unfinished business to attend to at St. Mary's, as he looks to close his high school career with three state championships and a successful trip to The Opening.

But when it's time for Josh to make moves at Michigan, look for him to shine accordingly. It's a position his big brother groomed him for.

"I never want to disappoint this dude," Josh said of James. "Since I was 10 years old, I tried to mimic everything he did. He wants the best for me. I know I can't take no shorts."

To which James responded: "He's taken advantage of every opportunity. He's ready."

Damon Sayles is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. All quotes were obtained firsthand. All player ratings are courtesy of 247Sports' composite rankings. Follow Damon via Twitter: @DamonSayles.