SHS head football coach Jamie Rodgers and parents Clay and Debra Ross look on as Trevor Ross, second from right, signs to play football at Valdosta State University. 

Trevor Ross, Suwannee High School (SHS) Bulldog kicker/punter, is headed to Title Town to play for the Valdosta State University (VSU) Blazer football team. Trevor celebrated his signing with VSU Monday, May 18, at SHS surrounded by his family, coaches, teammates, teachers and friends.

SHS head football coach Jamie Rodgers started off the party by singing Trevor’s praises, even stating he was the best kicker in the state. Trevor was instrumental in the SHS football team’s 2014 success with a 12-2 record, district championship, and final four appearance in the 5A State playoffs. Number 32 represented Bulldog Pride well by scoring over 100 points in his senior season, earning him First Team All-State Honors in the state of Florida.

“You won’t be able to see how important he was to us until you watch us next year,” Rodgers said. “A lot of times the kicker goes unnoticed until he misses one at a bad time. Well, ours didn’t miss very often so you didn’t notice. That’s not downing our kickers that are coming, that’s just saying we had a really, really good one.”

Trevor’s father, Clay, thanked the coaches, the team, school staff, and everyone else who supported his son.

“We’ve made some Bulldog memories that we’ll never, ever forget, but now we’re ready to make some Blazer memories,” Clay said.

Finally, Trevor expressed his thanks to the signing party’s organizer, Susan Brown; to his parents for always being there for him and being by his side; and to coach Rodgers and his teammates for giving him the opportunities that they did on the field.

“Without the standup team and coaching that we had, there’s no way I was ever going to get the opportunity to put up the numbers that I did,” Trevor said. “It was a real blessing to be a part of a final four team for my senior year. I couldn’t ask for anything better than that.”

After his senior season, Trevor began the rigorous recruiting trail that proved to be as much hard work as the practice field. While sending emails, stats, videos and phone calls to over 100 different college programs, he found that the road to the next level was a rough one. Having response from schools such as Jacksonville University, Faulkner University, University of the Cumberlands, Birmingham Southern, and Georgia Military College, Trevor decided that VSU was the best fit for his academic and athletic pursuits.

The VSU Blazers have proven to be a powerhouse in the Gulf South Conference having won three Division II National Championships in the past 10 years (2004, 2007, and 2012).

Trevor has a great opportunity to gain playing time at VSU with the graduation of the Blazers’ starting kicker and punter. Trevor views his partial scholarship from VSU as an incredible blessing and opportunity to translate his high school success to the next level hoping to bring yet another Division II National Championship to the VSU Blazer football program.  

Trevor wishes to thank all Bulldog fans and supporters for their encouragement during his high school career. The memories made as a Suwannee Bulldog will never be forgotten, and Trevor is looking forward to making new memories as a Blazer.