Move it like 'Mello: True freshman running back with one Division I offer defies doubters
As a senior at Detroit Western International High School in December 2014, Romello Ross was committed to the Central Michigan football team — his only Division I offer.
One year later, he rushed for 100 yards in the Quick Lane Bowl.
Ross played in six games for the Chippewas, eliminating a potential extra year of eligibility midway through the 2015 season. The true freshman rushed for 247 yards on 54 carries and four touchdowns.
Running backs Coach Gino Guidugli said Ross is among the leaders in the running back competition this spring. Ross will get a chance to show his improvement in the spring game at 1 p.m. on Saturday at Kelly/Shorts Stadium.
“(Ross is) in better shape, he’s stronger, he’s healthy and he knows the offense better,” said Head Coach John Bonamego. “He’s going to be a really good player here for quite some time.”
Ross began his high school career at Detroit Southwestern High School and played as a freshman. When the school closed in June 2012, Ross followed Head Coach Andre Harlan to Western International High School.
“It was an amazing three years after that,” Ross said.
In his high school career, Ross rushed for 5,020 yards and totaled 84 touchdowns on the ground. During his senior year in 2014, he rushed for 1,458 yards and 23 touchdowns while being named first team All-State by the Detroit Free Press and Associated Press.
He received All-State honors all four years during his high school career, even though he only played in six games during his junior season after injuring his PCL, a ligament within the knee.
One offer
Despite Ross’ success in high school, he garnered little attention from the college. He said his PCL injury may have contributed to the lack of interest from schools.
“It kind of hurt at one point,” Ross said. “Just hearing about everybody else around me coming up. We all came up in little league and everything and they’re just getting offers on top of offers and I only had one.”
He received offers to play other positions, but Ross always wanted to play running back. CMU allowed him to do that.
On his visit to CMU, his host was was sophomore defensive back Amari Coleman.
“(Coleman's) just kind of a friendly spirit,” Ross said. “He’s just a really cool guy you can just sit around and kick it with.”
Ross was supposed to redshirt his freshman season, as many young players do. He said it was a difficult transition from high school to the college game and he “didn’t have it mentally.”
However, sophomore running back Devon Spalding didn't play after suffering a broken clavicle against Northern Illinois on Oct. 3. In the team’s next game, a 41-39 loss at Western Michigan, the Broncos outrushed CMU 215-161.
Burning the redshirt
Ross’ redshirt was burned and he played his first collegiate game against Buffalo. He rushed for 54 yards on 13 carries in a 51-14 win.
Ross said it was not difficult to see an extra year of eligibility go away, even though some said it was a waste, as he had already sat on the bench for half the season.
“I was excited about it,” Ross said. “It’s always been a goal of mine to be a true freshman (on the field). I was a true freshman in high school and I wanted to come to college and be a true freshman, too.”
In CMU’s next two games — which were road wins against Ball State and Akron — Ross combined for 16 yards on five carries. He did not play in the CMU’s home loss to Toledo.
Breaking out
He returned in a win against Kent State, rushing for 43 yards on 10 carries. In the regular season finale, Ross broke out against Eastern Michigan.
The 5-foot-10, 189-pound ball carrier combined for four touchdowns — including a 63-yard touchdown reception from senior quarterback Cooper Rush in a 35-28 win over the Eagles on Black Friday. CMU clinched a share of the Mid-American Conference West Division title with the victory.
“I just felt like I had a lot of confidence going into that game,” Ross said. “Over time, when you first start learning the plays and you mess up so much it kind of knocks down your confidence. When I started playing and I started feeling like I understood the playbook, I was going out and just playing the way that I play.”
Ross’ performance over the Eagles earned him the starting nod in the Quick Lane Bowl against Minnesota. He said he was surprised to get the start and “just went out and gave it my all.” He rushed for 100 yards on 19 carries in a 21-14 loss to the Golden Gophers at Ford Field on Dec. 28.
Despite the loss, Ross said he enjoyed his experience going from redshirt freshman to being in a huddle with players such as Rush and senior tight end Ben McCord.
“I really belong here with them,” Ross said. “This is where I want to be.”
A true teammate
Ross has developed friendships and received praise from his teammates, including fellow running back and junior Jahray Hayes.
“Romello’s cool,” Hayes said. “There’s always going to be competition on the field but we’re cool off the field. That’s my dude.”
Coleman, his host on his visit, said he has seen Ross improve off the field as well.
“He’s grown a lot,” Coleman said. “He’s always in the weight room, always putting in extra work. He’s matured a lot, too.”
Guidugli said Ross had a lot of momentum at the end of last season. The goal, Ross said, for this season is to not lower expectations and stay on the track he’s on. He believes the playing time in 2015 will give him the experience needed to lead in 2016.
“I think everything happens for a reason,” Ross said.
