A restart for Jones
Walled Lake (Mich.) Western safety Joshua Jones made an early commitment to Toledo, but when Big Ten programs Iowa and Illinois came through with offers at the end of May, Jones took a new look at his recruitment.
"When the Big Ten [schools] started recruiting me, I was so excited," Jones said. "I was so happy about it, that all the hard work and time in the weight room paid off."
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The 6-foot-2, 202-pound Jones had considered making a quick decision, maybe as soon as the next week. After more consideration, though, he is looking at taking it a little slower than that.
"I probably will have to sleep on it more, but most likely it will be later in the summer," Jones said. "I don't really want to jump on something too early, but then again I don't want to pass something up because BCS [schools] move kind of fast and I don't want to make a mistake and wait too late."
Because he has not visited either Illinois or Iowa since receiving their offers last month, Jones is looking to see the campuses before making a decision.
"Illinois I am hitting this month and will go there, see the campus, take a look around, meet the coaches and just have a good time," Jones said. "If I like it, who knows what will happen.
"I will have to go see Iowa too. I know that is a good place. I really want to see Iowa because I know that is a great program, a winning program."
Both Illinois and Iowa have recruited the greater Detroit area extensively in the last few classes, and that has created ties with Jones for both programs.
"Devin Church is my boy and I grew up with him. He is going to Illinois," Jones said. "I went to middle school with Delano Hill and he is going to Iowa, so if I go to either/or I'll know somebody there."
Illinois and Iowa may not be the last BCS schools to come through with offers for Jones. At least one other school has made strong overtures his direction.
"Pitt told me they were still evaluating, but they like me," Jones said. "I'm hoping for an offer soon from Pitt."
Jones is rated three-stars and ranked as the No. 38 safety prospect in the country. As a junior he recorded 30 tackles and two interceptions while also returning three kickoffs for touchdowns.