High standards for five-star Jones
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.- The nation's top-ranked safety prospect, Baton Rouge (La.) Southern Lab's Chad Jones, arrived in South Florida on Saturday with something to prove.
The 6-foot-2, 220-pounder is the highest-rated prospect on the West squad for the inaugural Offense-Defense All-American Bowl, which kicks off at 7 p.m. Thursday at Lockhart Stadium.
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"I kind of gave thought to it earlier when I was on the plane," Jones said. "It's going to be a good thing; I just have to live up to my standards."
Those high standards have college programs from across the country interested in his services. After visiting Southern California in December, Jones has scheduled two more official visits to Florida State on Jan. 12 and will visit LSU the weekend of Jan. 26.
"I'm still going to Florida and Miami (Fla.), too," he added.
The Seminoles have worked their way into the picture. Assistants Mickey Andrews and Mark McHale are recruiting.
"I talk to (Florida State's) coaches a lot and they tell me things that I like to hear," Jones said. "But the only way you know for sure is to go see it, so I am going to go check it out for myself."
Jones also spoke about his interest in the hometown Tigers.
"I just know everything about LSU," he said. "I'm comfortable there and I know what I am getting into because I go to practices. My brother (Rahim Alem) goes there and so I talk to my brother a lot about what goes on there. He tells me the ups and downs about it.
"It's looking real good for LSU."
His visit to Tinseltown, which was on the weekend of Dec. 15, was very productive.
"USC is great," Jones said. "I like Los Angeles the city and I love the coaching staff. I love the players and I like the way they handle things over there. It's a top-notch place and one of my top schools right now."
So far, Jones is enjoying himself in Fort Lauderdale.
"When I walked in here, I saw the Rivals.com media room and then I went to see the place where you get all of the gear," he said. "So far, it's been first class."
The West squad plans to play Jones close to the line of scrimmage.
"I'll be playing more of a strong safety-type thing because they want me down in run support because of my size," Jones said. "We have limited coverages, too. So I will be able to work with it."