FS*Telegram help on a long road

OldTimer · October 7, 2006

Much help on a long roadBy TROY PHILLIPS

Star-Telegram Staff Writer

DENTON - Draylen Ross never took for granted that he would play college football, especially after his chaotic first week at North Texas.

With UNT's camp under way, Ross' academic counselor at Diamond Hill-Jarvis was trying to untangle a spider web of transcripts for the NCAA Clearinghouse, a result of Ross having attended one private and two public high schools.

A week later, Ross put on a UNT helmet for the first time. Finally, it was really happening.

"I'm thankful every day," said Ross, a tight end and one of three true freshmen to play for UNT this season. "You have your tough days, but that's with everything. I'm very proud to be here."

No sooner was Ross cleared academically, he was moved from defensive end to tight end (he played both in high school) after an injury to senior Robert Harmon.

Ross was adaptable to change. Before attending Diamond Hill-Jarvis as a junior, he attended Southwest and All Saints. The Ross family moved often. Older brother Braylen attended five high schools.

Ross' last high school game was against Springtown. His first college game was at defending national champion Texas. He caught an 8-yard pass against Texas and had his first career start two games later against Tulsa.

"He wants to learn, and he doesn't think he's too good to ask questions," UNT senior tight end Beau Davidson said. "He wants to get it right and play really badly. Right now, Draylen is raw, but he's naturally big [6-foot-3, 245 pounds]. You can tell he'll be good."

UNT coach Darrell Dickey said he intended to redshirt Ross a week before the Texas game. But his attitude, size and blocking ability convinced Dickey that Ross "could play a significant role" at tight end.

Former Diamond Hill-Jarvis coach Heath Brown said more schools recruited Ross, but only UNT stayed patient on his eligibility status. Since 1999, eight Diamond Hill-Jarvis players, including Ross' cousin Shaylan, have played college or junior college football.

"The main thing I wanted to make sure was that he got some good coaching at the next level," Brown said. "I thought he would improve quickly if he got on with the right program."

Brown, who helped Braylen Ross sign with the University of New Hampshire, can't take full credit for Draylen attending UNT. Braylen, who goes by B.J., makes his first career start at safety for UNH today.

Arlington Seguin coach Ricky Albus, whose team played Diamond Hill-Jarvis, was so impressed by Draylen's dominance at defensive end that he convinced UNT assistant Mike Bugar to take a look. Bugar was sold, and so was Ross.

"[Albus] walked up to me and said, 'I'm going to do all I can to get you recruited.' He kept his word, to the teeth. The next thing I know, I'm talking to Coach Dickey."

For getting this far, Ross also credits his mother, Tracie, who hounded the brothers about minding their grades (they didn't always), and B.J. for never letting him think he couldn't play at the college level.

"I told Draylen that everything's not going to come to you every day," said B.J. Ross, who attended Southwest, Crowley, All Saints, Fort Worth Christian and Diamond Hill-Jarvis. "He's been through a lot, switching schools, not having me there, the Clearinghouse. He stays after it and figures out how to do it on his own."

meangreensports.com

GAMEDAY

FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL AT NORTH TEXAS

6 p.m., Fouts Field, Denton

Records: FIU (0-5), North Texas (1-4)

Radio: KWRD/100.7 FM, KNTU/88.1 FM

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Troy Phillips, 817-390-7760 tphillips@star-telegram.com

flyonthewall · October 7, 2006

Much help on a long roadBy TROY PHILLIPS
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
DENTON - Draylen Ross never took for granted that he would play college football, especially after his chaotic first week at North Texas.
With UNT's camp under way, Ross' academic counselor at Diamond Hill-Jarvis was trying to untangle a spider web of transcripts for the NCAA Clearinghouse, a result of Ross having attended one private and two public high schools.
A week later, Ross put on a UNT helmet for the first time. Finally, it was really happening.
"I'm thankful every day," said Ross, a tight end and one of three true freshmen to play for UNT this season. "You have your tough days, but that's with everything. I'm very proud to be here."
No sooner was Ross cleared academically, he was moved from defensive end to tight end (he played both in high school) after an injury to senior Robert Harmon.
Ross was adaptable to change. Before attending Diamond Hill-Jarvis as a junior, he attended Southwest and All Saints. The Ross family moved often. Older brother Braylen attended five high schools.
Ross' last high school game was against Springtown. His first college game was at defending national champion Texas. He caught an 8-yard pass against Texas and had his first career start two games later against Tulsa.
"He wants to learn, and he doesn't think he's too good to ask questions," UNT senior tight end Beau Davidson said. "He wants to get it right and play really badly. Right now, Draylen is raw, but he's naturally big [6-foot-3, 245 pounds]. You can tell he'll be good."
UNT coach Darrell Dickey said he intended to redshirt Ross a week before the Texas game. But his attitude, size and blocking ability convinced Dickey that Ross "could play a significant role" at tight end.
Former Diamond Hill-Jarvis coach Heath Brown said more schools recruited Ross, but only UNT stayed patient on his eligibility status. Since 1999, eight Diamond Hill-Jarvis players, including Ross' cousin Shaylan, have played college or junior college football.
"The main thing I wanted to make sure was that he got some good coaching at the next level," Brown said. "I thought he would improve quickly if he got on with the right program."
Brown, who helped Braylen Ross sign with the University of New Hampshire, can't take full credit for Draylen attending UNT. Braylen, who goes by B.J., makes his first career start at safety for UNH today.
Arlington Seguin coach Ricky Albus, whose team played Diamond Hill-Jarvis, was so impressed by Draylen's dominance at defensive end that he convinced UNT assistant Mike Bugar to take a look. Bugar was sold, and so was Ross.
"[Albus] walked up to me and said, 'I'm going to do all I can to get you recruited.' He kept his word, to the teeth. The next thing I know, I'm talking to Coach Dickey."
For getting this far, Ross also credits his mother, Tracie, who hounded the brothers about minding their grades (they didn't always), and B.J. for never letting him think he couldn't play at the college level.
"I told Draylen that everything's not going to come to you every day," said B.J. Ross, who attended Southwest, Crowley, All Saints, Fort Worth Christian and Diamond Hill-Jarvis. "He's been through a lot, switching schools, not having me there, the Clearinghouse. He stays after it and figures out how to do it on his own."
meangreensports.com
GAMEDAY
FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL AT NORTH TEXAs
6 p.m., Fouts Field, Denton
Records: FIU (0-5), North Texas (1-4)
Radio: KWRD/100.7 FM, KNTU/88.1 FM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Troy Phillips, 817-390-7760 tphillips@star-telegram.com
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