(Seguin) — Hayden Ross, a leader on the Seguin Matador defense in 2022, will play college football about 81 miles to the north of Seguin in Georgetown.
On Thursday morning, Ross signed a National Letter of Intent at Seguin High School to become a Southwestern Pirate this coming fall.
Ross said he did not imagine he would be playing college football.
“The past two years of high school, I started finding a love for football and a passion for football. It really sparked when I started going to camps.” Ross said. “Camps just like ignited the whole thing and I would like to thank the coaches for putting me in that position, all my teachers and everybody who’s supported me through my life. It’s been an amazing journey and I can’t wait to play at the next level.”
Ross says he plans to major in physics or engineering at Southwestern. He also plans to enlist in the Air Force in the future.
An All-District linebacker for Seguin last fall, Ross had 39 tackles including three for loss while tying for the team lead in sacks with three. Seguin Athletic Director and head football coach Craig Dailey said Ross stepped up for the Matador defense after fellow senior Jakob McLeod was lost to injury early in the season.
“Hayden was a leader on the defense on a young (team). He was one of the few seniors we had. Jakob was the other senior and we lost him, so really it was Hayden and Brychan (Dilworth). It was a bunch of young guys and he was a great leader, a good football player, an all-district player.” Dailey said. “He’s gonna be very successful in life. He’s gonna commission in the Air Force (after college) and he’s gonna be a true leader in this world.”
The Southwestern Pirates will move to the Southern Athletic Association to start the 2023 season as an affiliate member.
Ross was joined by fellow seniors Devin Matthews and Jakob McLeod on the signing day at the school. Matthews signed with Texas A&M-Commerce and McLeod signed with the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.