While Ross Apo, a BYU wide receiver commit for the 2010 season, has all of the physical tools to make an impact on the field, his confidence may be what sets him apart.

At 6-foot-4, 202 pounds, Apo describes himself as a big guy who can play any receiver position the team needs him to. With a skill set like Apo’s, this kind of confidence may be warranted.

Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Magazine recently rated the all-district receiver the best wide receiver recruit in the state of Texas.

Apo says he is good enough to contribute right away, and maybe even start.

“I don’t expect to, but I hope so,” Apo said. “I definitely have the size and speed to contribute right away.”

Apo is the type of athlete consistent with the rest of this recruiting class that has BYU fans drooling. His most recent time in the 40-yard dash is 4.41 seconds, and he has a 39-inch vertical jump.

Apo’s skills are not limited to football. He was the leading scorer on his basketball team.

Because of his size, the basketball coaches played him at center. Although he thinks he could play basketball in college, this year Apo says he needs to focus on football.

“The plan is to graduate early so I can enroll at BYU in January,” Apo said. He said he is hoping to learn the plays and give himself the best chance to see the field right away.

Apo originally committed to Texas in late spring, but later de-committed in order to join Jake Heaps and Co. at BYU. Apo said Texas was the comfortable choice.

“I knew a lot of the kids that committed (to Texas). I’ve visited (Texas) probably more than BYU,” Apo said. “My parents were very comfortable as well.”

Apo’s biggest reservation in de-committing from Texas was telling his father.

“In the back of my mind, I always wanted to go to BYU. It was hard for me to tell my dad,” Apo said. “My dad liked Texas a lot. It’s a bigger school.”

After Apo changed his mind, his father warmed up to the idea of him playing at BYU.
“Now that he’s been to BYU, he knows what it’s all about,” Apo said.

Apo said his father has even requested some BYU apparel when Ross gets to school in January.

Now that the decision has been made, Apo is looking forward to getting started at BYU. He has kept in constant contact with other recruits, such as Heaps, Kyle Van Noy and Zac Stout.

“I talk to Jake and Kyle every day,” Apo said. “Zac is a little harder to get a hold of, but we talk about every other day.”

Heaps played a big part in Apo’s decision to come to BYU.

“We got to talking about what we could do at BYU, and said we could start something new that nobody has ever done,” Apo said. “And it’s happening now because there are a lot of highly recruited people coming in.”

Apo is also very involved in recruiting other good players. Tayo Fabuluje, a defensive line commit from the same high school, lives with Apo, and Apo played a large role in influencing his decision.

With the team this class is putting together, Apo is excited about the future. Apo, Heaps and Stout made their goal of bringing a national championship to BYU clear when they committed.

“I think all of us have the drive to do it,” Apo said.

Apo was quick to express his desire to be successful.

“I’m very competitive, and hate to lose,” he said.

When asked what most fans don’t know about him, he said most fans think he is black, but he is actually Tongan.

Since committing, Apo has been sticking to a grueling daily workout routine. He said he has mostly been working on his speed, as well as trying to add size and strength to his frame.

His playing weight last year was 193 pounds, and he has added about eight pounds since then.

Apo knows he will be playing with the right quarterback to make him successful, and has been talking with Heaps often about playing together at BYU.

“I told Jake just throw it anywhere and I’ll go get it,” Apo said.