The A-List is AL.com’s ranking of the top 15 senior prospects in the state of Alabama. We will count down one each day until No. 1 is revealed Aug. 23.

The traits of a good edge defensive lineman are universal.

Athleticism with quickness, power and consistency head the list, but there’s a particular demeanor that separates elite players. Let’s call it the nastiness factor.

“I like football because I can hit somebody without getting in trouble,” said Vestavia Hills’ Jordan Ross, AL.com’s A-List No. 9 senior.

Football coaches love the mentality along with other attributes 5-star recruit Ross brings.

“He’s got athletic traits that that aren’t coachable,” said Vestavia Hills coach Robert Evans. “You’re either blessed with talents and gifts or not and he’s got the measurables that everyone at every level of football is looking for. He’s got twitch, he’s got length and he’s got explosive ball get-off. That’s why he’s got the options that he does for his future.”

That future is undecided following his senior season with the Rebels, but a marquee lineup of colleges want to add Ross to their stable of defenders. Offers include Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Texas, Penn State, Kansas, USC, UAB and more.

Ross isn’t concentrating on recruiting or even when he’ll make the decision.

The 6-foot-5, 230-pounder wants to wreak havoc on offenses and chase quarterbacks, whether from a down lineman’s spot or standup end position.

“I like to do both sometimes,” Ross said. “If I’m trying to get to the quarterback, I usually put my hand in the dirt.”

Technique is different at each position, but Ross expects a similar outcome.

“If the offensive tackle is really huge or really slow, I just go with the speed rushing,” Ross said. “But if he’s smaller, I just try to play over the top.”

Ross expects more from the Rebels after last season’s 7-5 record and 21-12 second round loss to Class 7A champion Thompson. Vestavia Hills graduated eight starters from the 2022 defense that allowed 19.5 points a game.

“We lost a lot of players from last year, but we gained a bunch more juniors,” Ross said. “I think we’re still stacked just like last year and I think we should still be pretty good.”

In addition to the nastiness factor, Ross plays hard every down.

“He’s got a high-end motor where he will go until he just can’t go anymore,” Evans said. “When he’s after the quarterback and he’s fresh, there aren’t many people like him around the country, really, in high school football.

“But like everybody, this time of year, it’s hard to play as hard as he does, 8-10-12 snaps in a row, so we have to find a way to keep him fresh and situationally just turned loose. He’s still developing into an all-around player, but he is significantly better at this point in time this year than he was last year.”

A-LIST NO. 9: JORDAN ROSS, VESTAVIA HILLS

Position: EDGE

Height/Weight: 6-5, 230

College status: Uncommitted

Randy Kennedy’s scouting report: Jordan Ross has the measurable size needed to be a great pass-rusher and his closing speed is an A+.

THE 2024 A-LIST

No. 15: Josh Flowers, QB, Baker

No. 14: Bobby Pruitt, LB, Theodore

No. 13: JaCorey Whitted, TE, McAdory

No. 12: Kevin Riley, RB, Tuscaloosa County

No. 11: J’marion Burnette, RB, Andalusia

No. 10: William Sanders, OL Brookwood

No. 9: Jordan Ross, EDGE, Vestavia Hills