Georgia WR to visit Bruins

Malachi Jones tried to stay positive, tried to be patience.

But the truth is, as the Central Gwinnett (Ga.) receiver waited and waited to score his first scholarship offer, this wasn't easy to do.

"Even though I was trying to stay cool, I was still panicking," Jones said.

Not anymore.

In the past two weeks, the 6-feet-1, 182-pound Jones not only picked up offer No. 1, but Nos. 2, 3, 4 and 5. Georgia Southern became the latest to pull the trigger, doing so Wednesday night.

"It's just nice to know I'll be playing college football somewhere next year," Jones said. "It feels good. It's a huge sigh of relief for me."

Besides Georgia Southern, Louisiana-Monroe, Appalachian State, Chattanooga and Presbyterian have offered. Of that group, Jones said Appalachian State stands out.

UCLA is another school in the mix. The Bruins haven't offered, but Jones, who had 82 catches for 1,059 yards and 14 touchdowns this year, will officially visit Dec. 9.

"They're telling me they're excited for me to come out there," Jones said. "They said there's a possibility I might be leaving with an early Christmas gift. They've been talking to me for awhile. They've said I'm a very impressive athlete. They really like my film. They told me I'll know exactly where I stand when I leave UCLA."

Regardless of what happens at UCLA, Jones likely will take more officials.

"Everyone has a fair shot at this point," he said.

Keith Niebuhr can be reached at kneebs01@aol.com. You can follow him on Twitter @KeithRIVALS.