HOUSTON – Finding a middle linebacker who runs a 4.34 is basically unheard of. What about one who ran a 10.36 100 yard dash? That’s North Shore’s Charles Ross, one of the fastest athletes in the State of Texas, who just happens to play a big hitting position for the Mustangs.
Ross isn’t only a speedster at the linebacker position, he’s coach Willie Gaston’s defensive captain, known for helping his teammates line up and be in the right place at the right time.
Much of the attention on North Shore’s defense goes to 5-star cornerback Devin Sanchez, an Ohio State commit, rated as the 5th best overall prospect in the country. Ross is a big national prospect in his own right, ranked 65th overall nationally by the 247 Sports Composite, and rated as a 4-star linebacker. The LSU commit may get less national love than Sanchez, but to his coaches, he’s a huge part of leading the Mustang defensive effort.
“He’s so intelligent, on and off the field, he’s shifting fronts, he’s making checks, he’s truly the quarterback of the defense,” said Gaston.
“He called out my route one time,” said Senior wide receiver Quanell Farrakhan, Jr. “I was like ‘how do you know my route?’ He watches film, he’s a student (of it), he really just pays attention to everything.”
Ross makes fast reads while playing fast.
“Watching him run sideline to sideline, he’s one of the fastest linebackers in the state, guaranteed,” said Gaston.
Ross has gotten to enjoy the off the field studying as much as his work in the weight room and in game. He says he spends two hours watching film and learning football, along with his two hours of lifting daily on top of practices and games.
“It helps you out a ton, and when you see how far the receiver is, you can figure out if it’s pass or run so I know what to do,” said Ross.
Ross and the Mustangs are again state title contenders, ranked #2 in Texas. North Shore is 8-0 and coming off an impressive win over one of the top teams in the state in Atascocita. The Mustangs will play C.E. King this week, and finish the year with powerhouse Summer Creek.
