Dawgs 'shock' Alabama DL with offer

Georgia had numerous top recruits on campus for their final home game of the 2017 season Saturday. While the Bulldog coaching staff was working hard to close the 2018 class out strong, they were laying the ground work for the next couple of classes as well.

Recruits in the 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 classes were between the hedges for the Kentucky game and one of those sophomore was hard to miss.

Jayson Jones is a defensive lineman out of Calera (Ala.) and he camped in Athens over the summer. He knew he was on the Bulldog radar, but he did not know just how high the Georgia coaches thought of him and his game.

Before heading back home, he was offered by Georgia.

"The offer from Georgia was a complete shock," said Jones.

"When my father and I were eating before the game, coach [Tray] Scott (defensive line) came up and sat down with us for about 5-10 minutes. He was talking about my film and how great of a person and player that I am.

"After spending time with us, he talked with Kirby Smart about offering me and it happened. I never expected the offer."

Getting his second offer, his first from an SEC school was a real highlight of the visit, but there was more that he liked Saturday.

"Watching Nick Chubb make those big runs and being on the field before the game stood out to me. I had met Emmitt Smith on the sideline with his son EJ Smith (Georgia offered Saturday), so that was great too."

The offer and the time with the coaches really got Jones' attention. He had a lot of good things to say about the hopitality and he plans to return.

"Athens feels a whole lot different than other schools," said Jones. "They seemed more friendly and I am definitely interested in going back next year. It is a wonderful campus."

Eastern Kentucky is the other offer for Jones. Alabama is showing interest and UAB has invited Jones down for a visit this weekend. He knows this is just the beginning for his recruitment and the offer from Georgia is just going to push him to work that much harder.

"The offer means I️ can’t stop here. I️ must keep going at it. I️ have two more years to improve and I️ cannot let up one bit."