JC football: With added weight and speed, Rossi ready to guide Fresno City College

Fresno City College quarterback Christian Rossi was determined to have a different look on him for the upcoming season.

After playing at about 190 pounds last fall, Rossi knew that wouldn’t get the job done if he wanted to continue to play football. He had to get in the weight room and continue working out during the offseason — especially since coach Tony Caviglia already named the sophomore out of Clovis North High the starting quarterback for the season.

Rossi cemented the job when he led the Rams to a 35-21 victory over Santa Rosa in the State Center Bowl, leading Caviglia to jettison the two-quarterback system he had in place last season when Rossi and Nolan Sorensen split time during games.

Two days after the bowl victory, Rossi started up his intense work-out regimen.

“This offseason I really dedicated myself to the weight room,” said Rossi, who is 6-foot-2. “Not only did I work on building muscle but also speed. I love knowing that I’m the dude. But that doesn’t mean I’m complacent; I’m always working to improve my game every day.”

Fresno City fall camp begins Aug. 13, ahead of the Rams’ Sept. 5 season opener at De Anza in Cupertino.

Rossi said he’s been in the weight room Monday through Friday for “hour-long full-body workouts” and doing “pretty much everything.”

“I just want to improve my game,” Rossi said.

Translation: Rossi is now at 215 pounds and he wants to get at 220.

Caviglia has seen a different Rossi, who finished last season completing 100 of 170 passes for 1,243 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also had three rushing touchdowns.

“Christian has really got stronger,” he said. “Not only did he put on weight, he put on strength. That is going to help him avoid injury and absorbing contact, and because of that his arm strength has kicked up a notch. I’m very happy about that.”

Rossi’s immediate goals: to help the Rams win the Valley Conference and a state championship, and to play in Division I.

“I just did what I needed to do to prepare myself for the Division 1 level,” he said. “I’m pleased with the results so far, but there is always more work to be done.”

Rossi has been getting help from new Rams quarterbacks coach Vince Branstetter, who is a former Fresno State tight end.

Rossi said he’s been throwing to his receivers three times a week “to build chemistry.”

The offseason hasn’t ended there though.

Rossi worked with Bullard High quarterbacks coach Colby Hunter and also threw to Atlanta Falcons undrafted rookie Josh Stangby.

But working with Branstetter has been a big help, Rossi said.

“He has seen me grow as a player ever since I was a freshman in high school,” Rossi said. “This offseason we have mainly been working on my footwork; it was a bit sloppy last year and any quarterback knows your footwork sets up everything. Without good footwork it is impossible to be a good quarterback.”

This story was originally published July 24, 2015 at 4:22 PM with the headline "JC football: With added weight and speed, Rossi ready to guide Fresno City College."