Tennessee football offered a scholarship to three-star linebacker Jacquez Jones out of Northport, Ala. News of the Volunteers’ offer broke Monday.
Butch Jones and the Tennessee football coaches are literally going into the heart of Nick Saban’s backyard for this offer.
The Vols went into Tuscaloosa County, over to Northport, Ala., to offer a scholarship to three-star linebacker Jacquez Jones for their 2018 recruiting class.
Jones made the announcement on Twitter Monday afternoon.
Blessed To Receive an Offer from the University of Tennessee 🙏🏽 #SEC #Phil 4:13 pic.twitter.com/l5xdcxLhXG
— Jacquez Jones (@ESPN_Jac) February 27, 2017
The No. 14 ranked player in the state of Alabama according to Rivals, Jones has also received offers from the LSU Tigers, the Marshall Thundering Herd, the Maryland Terrapins, the Mississippi State Bulldogs, the Arkansas State Red Wolves, the South Alabama Jaguars, and the Michigan Wolverines.
Jacksonville State has also offered.
However, the 247Sports Crystal Ball has the Alabama Crimson Tide, his hometown team, firmly in the lead to land him right now.
Obviously, that’s not very surprising.
At 6’1″ 225 pounds, he is already a decent size for outside linebacker, which is the position he would play. And he has also demonstrated versatility, covering slot receivers while also disguising his coverages when he goes on blitzes.
See some of his highlights here.
Alabama is showing interest in him, even if they haven’t offered yet. But perhaps the Vols could gain some ground since they actually have sent an offer.
After all, Tennessee football has struggled with linebacker depth ever since Butch Jones arrived in Knoxville. So Jones could help out.