For many recruits, a big part of the recruiting process is generating headlines by naming his top teams on social media (or through traditional media), whether it’s a Top 10, Top 5 or anything in between. Central (Phenix, Ala.) WR Justyn Ross has 23 offers, but he won’t be naming any teams as favorites any time soon, and it’s for a unique reason. Ross’ mother is currently deployed in Kuwait as a truck driver in the National Guard.

“It’s hard,” Ross told AL.com’s Wesley Sinor. “This is her third time doing it — she’s been to Afghanistan twice. I’m not saying I’m getting used to it, but it’s not as hard on me as it was when I was younger. She is a very big part of my recruitment. Whenever she comes back, that’s when I’ll start cutting everything down and getting to my top schools.”

Ross, a 4-star prospect, is rated the No. 4 wide receiver of the 2018 class and No. 1 recruit in the state of Alabama. He has offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, LSU, Mississippi State, Missouri, Ole Miss, South Carolina and Tennessee. Central coach Jamey Dubose says Ross may narrow it down this summer.

“We’ve talked about it and what he’s interested in and things like that,” Dubose said. “We’re not going to release anything like that until Momma gets back, because we want Momma to be involved in this. I told Justyn to get what he’s thinking together and I’m going to carry him out during the spring to see some of these coaches and universities. Hopefully he can break that number down from a larger number to a little bit smaller number this summer.”

One can expect Iron Bowl rivals Alabama and Auburn to be in the mix for the in-state prospect. He frequently hears from former teammates Auburn cornerback John Broussard and Alabama linebacker signee Markail Benton.

“Markail especially, because he’s still here (at Central),” Ross said. “Markail is like a brother. We grew up on the same team. John is a little older than me but we built a great relationship when I came up (to varsity) my ninth grade year. At the end of the day they know I’m going to make my own decision so they don’t get on me too hard.”