Ross keeps on working at USC

Taylor Ross accomplished a great deal in his four years at Sage Hill School. Now, he’s taking the next step at USC.

Ross, who was a football standout and multi-sport athlete at Sage, is one of only two non-scholarship freshmen who were recently added to USC’s football team roster. As such he was invited to the Trojans’ preseason camp.

For more than a week, Ross has been competing for a spot. He’s listed as No. 47, and as a 5-foot-10, 190-pound tailback.

Ross starred at Sage Hill, and gained interest to be a walk-on for other programs such as SMU, Rice and Tulane. But Ross went to USC as a preferred walk-on.

He’ll have to work hard to stay with the Trojans’ program. But Ross is no stranger to hard work.

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<strong>FOR THE RECORD:</strong><br /> An earlier version of this story should have said Taylor Ross was among a select few who earned 12 varsity letters at Sage Hill<br />
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He earned 12 varsity letters at Sage Hill, where he was named the school’s Male Athlete of the Year. Few others in Sage’s 10-year history have earned as many varsity letters. Ross did it in football, soccer and lacrosse. He was a team captain in each sport.

Ross was also named the Academy League Male Athlete of the Year. He had a banner year in football.

He was named the Daily Pilot Newport-Mesa Dream Team Offensive Player of the Year after rushing for 1,869 yards and 26 touchdowns. The two marks set single-season records at Sage Hill. The yards and touchdowns also ranked Ross third and second in Orange County.

Ross was named to the Cal-Hi Sports All-State Small Schools second team as a multi-purpose pick, running back, defensive back and kicker.

The accolades did not stop there.

He was also All-CIF Southern Section East Valley Division, and was named the Academy League Offensive MVP.

Ross helped the Lightning (8-3, 2-1 in league) qualify for the CIF Southern Section East Valley Division playoffs for the second straight year.

Now he’s pushing his body to the limit trying to earn a spot at USC.