By: Chad Wilson – Gridironstuds.com Editor
A lot has happened at Gridironstuds.com over the last three months. We’ve had a little known linebacker by the name of Jeff Luc put his video on the site and become a nationwide sensation. W’eve had four Gridironstuds member make it to the Scout and Rivals Top 10 and we’ve had over 300 video submissions. Last week, we had a first. The first Canadian player added a video to the Gridironstuds.com website and it just so happens to be a good one.
If you live south of the U.S. Canadian border, you probably have never heard the name Ben Rossong. Take a trip North of the border and there isn’t a person who follows football that doesn’t know who he is. The truth of the matter is that if Rossong played in the U.S. he would likely be a top 100 member on all of the recruiting websites and would probably be holding a few Division I offers.
When you are strolling around a U.S. high school campus at 6’3″ 205 lbs. and you are slinging touchdowns for the varsity football team, you get a lot of attention quickly. That’s the case for Rossong in Canada but he’s looking to catch the eye of some big time BCS schools in the U.S.
“It’s definitely my preference to attend a U.S. school to play football,” the Canadian prospect said. “I feel like everything is so easy for me in Canada and I want the challenge of playing with the best Division I players in the States.”
So far Division II and III schools have shown interest but word has not yet reached the heavyweights of college football and that is who Rossong has his eyes on.
“If I could go to any school in the U.S., I think it would have to be USC, although I am not a USC fan,” Rossong explained. “I think playing in California would be amazing.”
Rossong racked up some good numbers as a junior for Sackville High School in Lower Sackville Nova Scotia last year. He threw for 2,300 yards, 19 touchdowns and only 3 interceptions. He also did it on the ground rushing for 407 yards and 7 touchdowns. These are impressive numbers indeed but Rossong knows that any numbers he puts up will be eyed with some skepticism.
“I think the biggest challenge would be for my coaches or teammates (in the states) to get past the fact I come from Canada,” said Rossong. “I think I will be viewed upon as a less gifted athlete just because of where I come from.”
With this in mind, Rossong uses those views of Canadian football players to fuel his preparation efforts.
“I get up every day and go to the gym to train, ” Rossong declared. “During the season we practice every day and watch film. Football is football, whether it’s Canadian or American rules.”
When you watch his highlight video, it’s hard to arque with Rossong. He has the size, he has the arm talent and accuracy of most of the D-I prospects I have seen for 2010. He’s also athletic which is a plus for college football signal callers these days.
The view of the Canadian football player is some heavy footed hockey player that’s doing this “football thing” on the side. That’s not the case for Rossong who has been playing football since 11 years old and has made it a point to know the game inside and out.
The plan for Rossong now is to just to continue to plug away with his training efforts and preparation for Sackville’s up coming season. In the interim, he will try to continue to get his name out there in an attempt to catch the eye of the Division-I college football programs. He would love to get on Syracuse’s radar since they are the closest to home but any D-I interest would make him smile.
Last season, Rossong attended New England Patriots Matt Light’s football camp and in front of several NFL players, earned Top QB honors. Sooner or later, Division I schools will find their way to Lower Sackville and find a QB ready to throw touchdowns in the states.
Check out Ben Rossong’s Highlight video… Click here.
High School Football
2010 recruits, ben rossong
The video submissions keep on coming at Gridironstuds.com. Linebacker Vinnie Mauro from St. Thomas Aquinas High School along with highly recruited teammate, offensive lineman Brandon Linder both posted their videos. Along with play making wide receiver Kory Clark out of Macedonia, Ohio.
North Florida Christian’s Clint Trickett did what a lot of potential college football recruits did over their spring break and that is take a college campus road trip.
Anyone who has followed Rutgers football knows that since Greg Schiano took over the program, he has made an effort to get talent out of the State of Florida. The 2009 recruiting class represented a departure from that objective for some reason. Rutgers’ 2009 class only had one player from the State of Florida after signing only one player from Florida in 2008. Rutgers’ 2005-2007 classes all had at least five Florida players.
A senseless brawl at a local Mall has clouded the possible college football career of Glades Central running back Antwan Chisholm. Chisholm was a leading running back for the Raiders during the 2008 season and was also the point guard on the basketball team.
