MORGANTOWN -
West Virginia University has received another verbal
commitment. This one comes from Dunbar, Md. Linebacker Marvin Gross. He made
his commitment official when he called Head Coach Dana Holgorsen Thursday and
said he wants to play at WVU.
"I just told him that I want to be a Mountaineer," Gross
said of the conversation. "He was very excited about it and we just went on
about the process of becoming a Mountaineer."
Gross is rated as a 3-star linebacker according to
rivals.com and is expected to play the Buck position at WVU.
"Being a buck linebacker, I wouldn't be changing what I do
now in high school, which is rushing the passer," Gross stated. "My abilities
would come out in college doing what I do best. It's good for me that I don't
have to change much from what I do now."
Gross has a great balance of size and speed for his
position. He stands 6-foot-4 and tips the scales at 225 pounds.
"Right now, a lot of tackles are not as athletic so I just
use my speed to get around them and get to the quarterback as soon as possible,"
Gross said about his current skill set. "My agility allows me to stop, break
down when I need to and see a screen and get back to the line of scrimmage and
tackle the running back when I need to."
While his speed and agility are carrying him in high school,
Gross realizes he must get stronger to continue to be as effective at the next
level. He said he ideally wants to arrive at WVU weighing between 235 and 240
pounds.
"I definitely think I have to bulk up and that is my first
priority," Gross said. "As soon as I get the season finished that is what my
main focus is going to be. I want to develop the ability to go up against some
of the athletic tackles in college football."
It is no secret that the West Virginia defense has struggled
mightily this year. WVU remains among the worst defenses in the country in some
statistical categories. Those struggles indicate their could be some early
playing time available for incoming freshmen like Gross.
"I definitely think my opportunities to play right away are
good right now, but I don't want to overspeak it because if it is not in my
best interest to play in my first year then I won't," Gross said. "I want to
dominate when I am on the field. I am not going to rush anything."
Gross comes to West Virginia from Dunbar High School near
Baltimore. If that high school sounds familiar, it should. That is the same
school that produced current WVU star Tavon Austin.
"I talked to Tavon earlier today," Gross said. "He is
excited and said welcome to the West Virginia family. He was like a big brother
through the process. He made it easier for me to pick West Virginia as my home."
Austin was not the only factor that swayed Gross' decision.
He visited WVU on the crazy game that saw West Virginia beat Baylor 70-63 in
Morgantown and left extremely impressed with the environment.
"The loyalty of the fans really impressed me," Gross stated.
"Seeing the striped stadium and seeing how they reacted to certain plays and
picking the players up after a bad play. Things like that really opened my eyes
to how everyone is just a big family in West Virginia."
Gross is also excited to have the opportunity to play in a
conference like the Big 12 so close to home.
"It's amazing because I grew up watching Oklahoma and TCU
and people like that," Gross said. "To be able to play against them is great."
Gross is West Virginia's 17th verbal commitment
for the class of 2013.
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