Gross talks of junior day

In the early going, Memphis Melrose quarterback William Gross said he's heard good things about the MSU football program. Over the weekend, the junior prospect got a chance to see for himself as he attended junior day at Mississippi State.

"Everybody has been telling me how good of a program Mississippi State has so I wanted to see for myself," said the 6-foot-2 and 190-pound Gross. "Things are going good with them and it feels like home here and I really like their spread offense. I am getting to know their coaches well and that is a good start."

And Gross noted of several things that stood out to him during his visit.

"Their coaching staff really stuck out to me," said Gross, who rushed for 843 yards and nine touchdowns last year. "I really got a good understanding of them and I really liked how they practice. They are organized and disciplined and well-coached. The players listen to their coaches and I really love their offense. I just like their entire ball club a whole lot.

"Going to see for myself definitely helped me get a better idea of what Mississippi State is all about. I like how they handle things and I like their weight room and those coaches, too."

So far, Gross has collected verbal offers from MSU, Ole Miss, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Louisville and Arkansas State. He also plans to check out more junior days in the near future.

"It is going well and I can't complain," said Gross. "It is a blessing to have early offers and go to these junior days. I have also been to Memphis and I plan to go to Tennessee and Louisville and maybe some others."

On his previous visits to Division 1 programs and on future trips, Gross said there are several things he is focused on with those visits.

"I am just looking at what quarterbacks a school has and how they run their offense," said Gross, who threw for 1,885 yards last year with 22 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. "I am also looking to make good relationships with the head coaches and my position coaches. That is very important to me."

And thus far, Gross noted a trio of schools are currently atop his favorites' list.

"I would say Mississippi State, Georgia and Louisville are my Top 3 right now," said Gross. "All of them run solid offenses and they have older quarterbacks that will be leaving the program in a couple of years and I see a good opportunity to play at those schools."