NSD Profile: Kayaune Ross
He wanted to join Kentucky's football program a year ago but he's patiently waited for his time.
Now Kayaune Ross is ready to sign those papers that have been in his sights for so long.
Kayaune Ross
6-foot-6, 225 pounds
Arizona Western C.C. / West Chester (Ohio) Lakota West
Rank: Three stars (5.6)
Recruiting Rewind
Ross wasn't recruited by Kentucky heavily when he was in high school but he was in contact with the Wildcats for more than a year. Ross was hoping to join Kentucky's recruiting class last year, the 2015 cycle, but he had to wait until 2016 in the end.
Ohio State has shown interest and plenty of other schools have eyed the big target who is originally from the Buckeye State. But Ross has never wavered in his commitment to Kentucky and he's visited when he's been able to.
That he was once teammates with Mikel Horton and George Asafo-Adjei helped Kentucky in his mind. Ross got close with Tommy Mainord but even the departure of Mainord and Shannon Dawson didn't cause him to waver.
Scout Speak
Ross is much more of an unknown in terms of football ability than almost any other Kentucky commitment, because he has already redshirted a year, because he wasn't very well-known in high school, and because he just lacks a long resume on a number of levels.
What we do know is that Ross' speed has improved and nobody questions his size. He's a massive target who is both impressive in terms of his vertical catching ability and his bigger catch radius. He's much more physically mature than a high school receiver and he's ready to go to work, so he will arrive in Lexington with the right mindset and work ethic.
Setting the Bar
Junior college players are recruited to play, not to sit. Sometimes they do sit and there's usually a waiting period while the player adjusts to the speed of the SEC. Ross knows full well that players like Garrett Johnson, Dorian Baker and even Jeff Badet will be difficult to unseat. But he's remained steadfast in his commitment to Kentucky because he's convinced that he has the size and skill set to get on the field and perhaps in his first year. Don't be surprised if he gets some playing time his first year, but no guarantees on that.