35 Under 35 Presents | Fire Zone Pressures | James Ross III, Houston
February 11, 2025
James Ross III is entering his second season as the Defensive Ends and Outside Linebackers coach for Houston. After his first season with the Cougars, Ross was elevated to Defensive Run Game Coordinator. Before joining the Houston staff, Ross was a Defensive Analyst at Tulane where he helped lead the Green Wave to being one of the best defenses in the country. Coach Ross was recently selected as a member of the 2025 AFCA 35 Under 35 class.
Why Run These Pressures:
- Good on First and Second Down
- Able to stop the run
- Can cause havoc with pass
- A Good call for tempo situations because there are not a ton of pre-snap adjustments
- A good defense to call on the fly to create pressure, negative plays, and eliminate explosives
- Can be used in “Take-A-Shot” situations
Description:
- 6 Man pressure with Hot Coverage
- Blitz Pattern:
- 2 Read Blitzers (Mike and Nose)
- These blitzers influence where the zone goes
- Second-level blitzer plays off 2 read blitzers
- Variations: 10 Personnel Formations
- Field OLB is pulled out and becomes a middle-hot defender
Position Responsibilities:
- Ends: contain players
- Nose: Angle rush to boundary B gap, aiming for V of the neck of the Guard
- Mike: Penetrator blitzer aiming for V of the neck of Guard
- Will: Adjust blitz based on Nose’s direction. If Nose goes out with Guard, Will will fill in A gap
- Dollar: Fill off Mike and be prepared to make the play
- Nickel and Boundry Safety: Hot players; Responsible for #2 to their side, staying inside #2
- Corners: Third players
- Free Safety: Hot Post player, slow playing before sinking to the post
For more information about the AFCA, visit www.AFCA.com. For more interesting articles, check out The Insider and subscribe to our weekly email.
If you are interested in more in-depth articles and videos, please become an AFCA member. You can find out more information about membership and specific member benefits on the AFCA Membership Overview page. If you are ready to join, please fill out the AFCA Membership Application.
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James Ross III is entering his second season as the Defensive Ends and Outside Linebackers coach for Houston. After his first season with the Cougars, Ross was elevated to Defensive Run Game Coordinator. Before joining the Houston staff, Ross was a Defensive Analyst at Tulane where he helped lead the Green Wave to being one of the best defenses in the country. Coach Ross was recently selected as a member of the 2025 AFCA 35 Under 35 class.
Why Run These Pressures:
- Good on First and Second Down
- Able to stop the run
- Can cause havoc with pass
- A Good call for tempo situations because there are not a ton of pre-snap adjustments
- A good defense to call on the fly to create pressure, negative plays, and eliminate explosives
- Can be used in “Take-A-Shot” situations
Description:
- 6 Man pressure with Hot Coverage
- Blitz Pattern:
- 2 Read Blitzers (Mike and Nose)
- These blitzers influence where the zone goes
- Second-level blitzer plays off 2 read blitzers
- 2 Read Blitzers (Mike and Nose)
- Variations: 10 Personnel Formations
- Field OLB is pulled out and becomes a middle-hot defender
Position Responsibilities:
- Ends: contain players
- Nose: Angle rush to boundary B gap, aiming for V of the neck of the Guard
- Mike: Penetrator blitzer aiming for V of the neck of Guard
- Will: Adjust blitz based on Nose’s direction. If Nose goes out with Guard, Will will fill in A gap
- Dollar: Fill off Mike and be prepared to make the play
- Nickel and Boundry Safety: Hot players; Responsible for #2 to their side, staying inside #2
- Corners: Third players
- Free Safety: Hot Post player, slow playing before sinking to the post
For more information about the AFCA, visit www.AFCA.com. For more interesting articles, check out The Insider and subscribe to our weekly email.
If you are interested in more in-depth articles and videos, please become an AFCA member. You can find out more information about membership and specific member benefits on the AFCA Membership Overview page. If you are ready to join, please fill out the AFCA Membership Application.
