All on tape: How Freeport football’s Drew Ross is preparing for double duty as QB, safety
-
Freeport football players Matt Wallisch, left, and Sam Austin hold Sean Selinger for a group shot during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
-
Freeport Coach John Gaullist poses for a headshot during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
-
Freeport football player Sam Austin poses for a headshot during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
-
Freeport football player Matt Wallisch poses for a headshot during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
-
Freeport football players Matt Wallisch and Sam Austin carry Sean Selinger for a group photo during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
-
Freeport football players, Sam Austin, front, and Matt Wallisch, Coach John Gaullist and Sean Selinger pose for a group shot during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
-
Freeport football players Matt Wallisch, left, Sean Selinger and Sam Austin along with Coach John Gaullist, back, pose for a group photo during the Butler Eagle Football Media Day at Butler High School on Friday, August 9. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (8/9/2024)
-
Drew Ross Freeport 2024
-
Drew Ross Freeport 2024
-
Drew Ross Freeport 2024
-
Drew Ross Freeport 2024
BUFFALO TWP — During study halls, during lunch and at night.
Whenever he has free time, really, Freeport football’s Drew Ross is watching tape.
“You’ve just got to study outside of practice,” said Ross, a junior. “When you go home, you’ve got to go on Hudl and study the plays. You’ve got to come in and know them. On defense, I’ve been around for a few years, so that kind of has already stuck with me.”
The Yellowjackets’ first-year offensive coordinator, Dylan Henderson, has taken notice. He was quick to laud Ross’ smarts.
“That’s next-level stuff,” Henderson said. “We put everything on Hudl, make it accessible for the kids, and any chance he gets I know he’s on there.”
Ross will call plays on both sides of the ball, as Freeport’s quarterback and a safety on defense. ‘Jackets coach John Gaillot can count on one hand how many instances that’s happened in his time in charge.
“It’s kind of unique,” Gaillot said. “In 17 years of doing this, maybe four or five times, counting this year, that kids are like that. He’s just a major asset for us.”
“Working both ways is nothing really special for me, I feel like. It’s something I should be doing,” Ross said.
According to the team’s statistics on MaxPreps, Ross completed 96 of 180 passes for 1,259 yards, 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions last fall. He also rushed for 542 yards and three scores on 78 carries.
His workload on defense was less than what it figures to be this year, with six stops and a pair of pass defenses.
Gaillot is able to track players’ time on the online film platform. He said Ross goes above and beyond with the time he spends watching. With the program breaking in its third offensive coordinator in as many seasons, Ross is a much-needed conduit between Henderson and his teammates.
“He really can command his troops — and he knows everything,” Henderson said. “It’s like having a second coach out there. ... He’s played the position probably his whole life, so it’s almost like being an extension of me out there.”
Ross has been a signal-caller since he was 6 years old. He stresses focusing in practice as well as the classroom. He soaks up whatever’s handed to him, is able to suggest tweaks on the fly and has the maturity of coach when he talks.
“He overcomes, adapts and he makes things happen,” Gaillot said. “Even last year, he put us in so many positions where we were in games because of him, his choices and the things that he sees.”
Henderson said the biggest adjustment he’s made to the offense is adding “more action for every single individual on the offensive side of the ball.” Ross will be his facilitator.
“I think the whole team has to be committed,” Ross said. “You can’t do it all yourself. You definitely need the guys around you. Everyone has to come in locked in.”
