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Thursday, May 22, 2008
South Carolina offers Heritage TE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
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Heritage-Conyers tight end Justin Jones has four scholarship offers, a high number for a player who has played football for only three years.
But South Carolina, UAB, East Carolina and Akron have offered in the past month because they like Jones’ size (6-foot-8, 250 pounds) and potential. Clemson, Central Florida, Alabama and Kentucky also are recruiting him.
“I’m surprised, honored and glad I’m getting this kind of attention,” said Jones, who didn’t start until he was a junior and caught 11 passes last season, five for touchdowns.
“My freshman season was my first year of playing football in my life, and I didn’t play varsity until my junior year. I never expected to be getting offers to college. It’s just a blessing that’s come down.”
Jones’ stock has risen because of his work at the Nike combine in Atlanta in March and the Under Armour camp in Auburn in May. He was named to the all-combine team at both.
“If I had to compare myself to anybody, I’m told I play more like Leonard Pope [the 6-8 former Georgia tight end, now in the NFL],” Jones said. “I’m more the receiving tight end. I can catch the ball, and I can run. I can go up for the jump ball.”
Jones also plays on Heritage’s basketball team and twice had more than 20 rebounds in a game and averaged 14 points.
Jones said he’d like to play in the SEC. Though South Carolina is the only SEC school to offer, Jones wouldn’t call the Gamecocks his leader because he’s never visited the school and expects more offers. “Clemson told me I was really high on their list,” Jones said. “South Carolina said that and then they offered. I think I’m expecting an offer from Alabama . They said they really like me and that all they want me to go is come up and let coach [Nick] Saban see me move.”
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