UNC interested in safety from the Midwest
Jamel Jones is being recruited by nine Division-I schools, and one is particularly surprising.
Like a handful of current and many former prospects from perennial power Booker T. Washington High in Tulsa, Okla., Jones is receiving plenty of attention from schools in the Midwest, including seven Big 12 programs.
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And North Carolina.
The 6-foot, 195-pound senior safety is seriously considering UNC along with Colorado, Baylor, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Texas and Texas A & M. Colorado is the only school to offer a scholarship so far.
“I’m not really sure who my favorites are right now,” Jones said. “I do like the coaches who are recruiting me at Texas A & M, UNC and Indiana and they like me at the position I want to play, which is safety.”
Jones, who also plays receiver and kick returner, is being recruited by UNC co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach Marvin Sanders, who was the defensive backs coach at Nebraska last season.
Jones watched UNC’s shocking 31-28 upset of then-No. 3 Miami last month on national television.
“I liked that a lot, that was a big win,” he said.
Jones said distance from home isn’t a major factor in his recruitment, but he is considering a host of different factors.
“Academics is really important of course,” he said. “How the coaches treat their players is, too, along with atmosphere. I want to play for a team this is close and obviously winning or starting to a turnaround.”
Jones and fellow Booker T. Washington teammate Felix Jones, a senior running back, recently made recruiting visits to Texas A&M. They plan on returning to College Station, Texas for official visits on Dec. 10.
The Jones’ boys have led Booker T. Washington to an 11-0 record and back to the playoffs.
Last season, Booker T. Washington also finished the regular season undefeated and Jamel Jones finished with 64 tackles and five interceptions. He also has 12 catches for 310 yards and three touchdowns.
“I think my main strength is tackling,“ Jones said. “I like to jump routes and disguise coverages, but I’m best at tackling.”