Illinois State center Larry Ross, a transfer from Stony Brook (N.Y.) University, is preparing for his sixth college football season. (Photo by GoRedbirds.com)
Second in a four-part series. Next: Western Illinois
By Barry Bottino
Deciding to play a sixth season of college football already has been rewarding for Larry Ross.
The Illinois State center, who transferred from FCS Stony Brook University in New York, has made new friends and enjoyed the newness of being in the Midwest for the first time in his life.
And, he’s got brand-new nicknames from his younger teammates.
“I’m the old man,” the 24-year-old Ross joked. “They call me Grandpa and Uncle Larry. It’s cool. I want to help these younger guys. I was them six years ago, so I understand what it’s like. I want to make sure these young guys are not shellshocked by this whole experience.
“The jump (to college football) is huge,” he said. “They ask me questions on and off the field, and I love it. This is what I’m here for.”
The experience Ross brings – including seven starts at center last season – provides plenty of value to an ISU offense that ranked 112th nationally last season with 288.3 yards a game.
Ross is one of four Fresh Faces at Illinois State this fall. The annual Prairie State Pigskin series introduces readers to key newcomers to the roster and returnees who will play expanded roles.
While center is where he is likely to help Illinois State most this fall, Ross considers versatility to be a strength. His first two years at Stony Brook, he played both offensive tackle spots before taking over at center.
“It was a really natural transition for me,” he said. “I started to learn football from a different lens and it definitely benefited me. I feel that I can play all spots on the line. If they asked me to do it, I would do it. I’m not the guy who says, ‘I’m only going to play this position.’”
Early in his high school career, football wasn’t where Ross’ athletic career was headed.
“I was a basketball player my whole life,” he said. “That was my first love. I started playing football my sophomore year.”
He quickly learned that basic basketball skills eased the transition into football.
“I’m a lot more athletic than the normal 6-foot-5, 320-pound dude is,” he said. “The footwork aspect from basketball to football was really a game changer for me. I was able to adapt to all the different types of techniques and footwork (drills) that the coaches wanted me to do.”
ISU’s other Fresh Faces include:
Offense
Cam Grandy, TE, Senior
A four-year member of the D-II Missouri Western program, Grandy played prep football at Fieldcrest High School in Minonk, 30 miles north of Illinois State’s campus. He set career highs last fall with 31 catches for 275 yards. At 6-5 and 260 pounds, Grandy caught five of his six career touchdowns in 2019.
The Redbirds lost their top two tight ends from last season – Tanner Taula (26 catches, one TD) and Bryson Deming (22 catches, two TDs) – to graduation.
Defense
Jeff Bowens, CB, Sophomore
In only four starts last season, Bowens tied for the team lead with two interceptions and ran a pick back for a touchdown against Eastern Illinois.
This year, he is likely to have a bigger role after impressive spring and fall camps. “I think he’s a sleeper,” ISU starting safety Keondre Jackson said. “Jeff’s (off-season) jump is crazy. He had two picks last year, and that was just off the bench.”
Bowens led the team with 10 tackles in November against eventual national champion South Dakota State.
Jalan Gaines, LB, Senior
Gaines started at Indiana State last year at Jack linebacker when Buck Buchanan Award winner Zeke Vandenburgh was injured. This fall, Gaines will take on the role full time.
At 6-4 and 235 pounds, Gaines has the ability to chase down run plays and use his long arms to disrupt opposing pass games. His career has come a long way since it started at NCAA Division III Dubuque University in Iowa.
Barry Bottino is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin and a 19-year veteran of three Illinois newspapers. He has covered college athletics since 1995.
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