Ross' work ethic questioned

Although the Arizona football team added the "bell cow" of its 2006 recruiting class when www.scout.com's No. 4 cornerback prospect Devin Ross verbally committed to the Wildcats late Thursday night, one national analyst said a rosy future isn't necessarily set for the heralded recruit.

Although Ross has registered a 4.40-second time in the 40-yard dash and boasts a 36-inch vertical leap, his willingness to listen to coaches and play within himself will be critical for any long-term success, said Allen Wallace, national recruiting editor for Scout.com and the publisher of SuperPrep magazine.

"Despite his physical talent, if he doesn't improve, he won't be great," Wallace said.

The 5-foot-11, 180-pound Ross, who chose the Wildcats over Oregon and late-interest school Southern California, is the highest-rated athlete at his position of any of Arizona's 25 commitments thus far.

Wallace said Ross has shown a tendency to gamble in coverage, usually going for the interception over a pass deflection.

Despite his physical talent, if (Devin Ross) doesn't improve, he won't be great. - Allen Wallace, SuperPrep publisher

Such habits could haunt Ross against Pacific 10 Conference teams, whose pass-heavy offenses are among the nation's best, Wallace said.

"You can't be a corner out there, thinking you'll always make the big play," he said.

Of more immediate concern for Ross are his academics. Wallace said UCLA dropped out of the running for his services in September, noting his sub-2.5 grade point average and questionable SAT scores.

Wallace said Ross' father told him his son planned to retake the test Saturday to improve his score, though it wasn't certain whether Ross had yet attained the NCAA's required score for admission into a Division-I school. He first took the SAT in October.

According to recent changes made by the NCAA Clearinghouse, the body that must clear all athletes before they can participate in college athletics, Ross would need a combined 820 on the SAT's math and verbal sections, given a 2.5 GPA, to join Arizona and avoid junior college.

"The thing you hope for is that he's working on the SAT or working hard on the GPA," Wallace said. "He's got to qualify."

Ross registered 60 tackles (40 solo) and had four interceptions last season. He also dabbled at running back and wide receiver, finishing with four offensive touchdowns.

Arizona's 2006 class ranks No. 16 in the nation, according to a list updated on Scout.com yesterday. Recruits can start signing national letters of intent with teams Wednesday.