Big Cat 2017 special for Ross

AUBURN | Five-star wide receiver Justyn Ross attended Big Cat as a junior in 2016, but this year’s version was different.

Not because of the contests or games, but because of who was with him: his mother.

“This was her first visit,” Ross said of his mother, who had been serving overseas and only recently returned home. “It was real nice to finally get her on a visit.”

It was a good day for Ross and his mother to visit. Auburn’s Big Cat was more about family and fun than recruiting and depth charts.

Ross was one of 33 recruits to attend the festivities Saturday in Auburn.

“It was a lot of fun. I liked it a lot,” Ross said. “I got to meet a lot of recruits.”

He also got to see some of the recruits compete in a pie-eating contest, which was won by Auburn offensive line commit Kameron Stutts.

“My favorite part was probably watching the pie-eating contest and seeing big Kam getting in there and go to work,” Ross said. “It was a lot of fun.”

Ross and his mother met with coach Gus Malzahn, offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey and wide receivers coach Kodi Burns. Sophomore quarterback Jarrett Stidham also spoke with Ross.

“It went good,” Ross said. “(Stidham) didn’t say much about recruiting. We were just talking about Big Cat.”

Ross, from Central High in Phenix City, doesn’t plan to make his college decision until later in the process. Auburn, he said, would be a major factor for him when he does.

“They are still at the top, one of the top schools,” Ross said. “I have a real good relationship with all of the coaching staff, and it’s right up the road.”

Ross and his mother next will visit Alabama, which they are scheduled to do on Sunday. A return trip to Auburn this summer also is in the works, although a date has not been set.

“I’ll be back for sure,” Ross said.