The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/246097
No. 10, James Ross III, So., LB James Ross III came into the 2013 season with high hopes, along with a host of his teammates. He certainly moved up in the pecking order, as far as Michigan's linebackers are concerned, but the rising junior is determined to put more wins on the board in the future. Ross wound up Michigan's second-leading tackler, his 85 stops just one behind team leader Raymon Taylor. Ross also finished fourth on the team with 5.5 tackles for loss, broke up a pair of passes and forced two fumbles. His play wasn't always what he wanted it to be, though. He started nine of Michigan's 13 games, at times getting sidelined to impress upon him the need for greater consistency. Ross also suffered an undisclosed injury, costing him the crucial second half of Michigan's loss at Iowa. Ross made headlines with his comments following the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl loss to Kansas State. He indicated that for whatever reason, Michigan's defense wasn't as ready to go as it should have been on Dec. 28. "It was our mindset from the jump," Ross noted. "We weren't totally into it, I would say. We didn't come out with a lot of energy. We have to be better than that." Brady Hoke insisted after the game he expects the returning Wolverines will be very hungry after the disappointing finish to the 2013 campaign. Ross should be one of those leading the charge back. Linebacker James Ross III finished as Michigan's second-leading tackler in 2013 with 85 stops, and he ranked fourth on the team with 5.5 tackles for loss. photo by lon horwedel