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The wait is just about over for tight end Harrison Jones (Memphis, Tenn./Evangelical Christian).
The 6-foot-4, 225-pound prospect is expected to make his collegiate decision, between Alabama and North Carolina, very soon.
“Everybody will eventually know,” Jones said late Monday night. “I’m going to commit in the next week or so. Probably this week or next week.”
Oklahoma had been a significant factor in Jones’ recruitment, but he said the Sooners haven’t been recruiting him as hard as of late.
Jones, the eighth-ranked tight end by ESPN Scouts Inc., doesn’t expect to have a ceremony or planned event at his school. He just wants it to be casual.
“I think I’m just going to send out a statement type deal to the paper,” said Jones, who grades as an 80 (out of 100) prospect by ESPN Scouts Inc.
Jones said he would like to commit prior to the first game of his senior season, just to get it out of the way so he can focus on his high school team. And, if he does indeed commit in the next week, that will come true. His first high school game is Aug. 28, against Cordova.
“We play them the first game every single year, and we beat them pretty much every single year,” he said. It’s always a pretty tough game. I’ve actually heard they’re going to have a pretty good team this year.”
Outside of that game, though, Evangelical Christian doesn’t play a lot of familiar teams from its 7-3 season a year ago. Jones said they have a small school, so they had to drop down a division for this season.
“We still play a lot of the big schools, we’re just not in the division with them,” he said. “I think our team’s going to be pretty good this year. We have a lot of juniors and seniors, so I think we should do well.”
For Jones, specifically, he has a few aspects of his game that need improving. He wants his team to win a state championship, sure, but he wants to get better at certain things that make him a more intriguing college prospect.
Jones said he wants to catch a ton of balls and get as many touchdowns as possible, which are both givens for any pass-cather. However, he’s looking to work on something that may be more beneficial to him at the next level.
“I want to make sure I focus on run blocking and getting a lot of practice at that,” he said. “That’s something that I’m going to have to do (in college). I just kinda figured a lot of these tight ends are 240, 250, so that’s something I haven’t really done a lot of is run block.”
Jones is the younger brother of Alabama offensive lineman Barrett Jones. His dad, Rex, played basketball at Alabama in the 1980s.
ESPN Scouts Inc. Evaluation: Jones is a good tight end and has a bit of a yard dog feel to his game. He is very active in the passing attack and is a productive target. He has good hands. Will tend to catch the ball into his body a little more than you would like to see, but he makes enough tough grabs that you feel confident about his hands. He displays good concentration as a receiver. He makes the over-the-shoulder grab, can make catches near the sideline and will take a hit to make the catch. He does a good job of adjusting to the ball and is a quarterback's friend. Runs good routes. Displays above-average straight-line speed. Does not give the impression that he can run by defenders, but can give some presence as a vertical target. Runs hard with the ball. Not overly elusive, but can make a defender miss here and there. He does not look as big on film as he is listed in either height or bulk, but does display the frame to add more good size. He is a solid inline blocker. Displays the ability to get placement with his hands and move his feet. Will not drive defenders off the ball, but can get into them and steer away from the ball carrier. Does a good job of being able to step down and wash a defender. Will hop out of his stance, when he needs to try and reach. He needs to keep developing his overall technique as a blocker, but is not afraid to mix it up and displays the ability to get the job done. Jones is a productive tight end who plays with some toughness and can be a well-rounded player at the position in college.
