Jones ready to make first official

TAMPA - He may not be the prototype, but Tampa (Fla.) Middleton outside linebacker A.J. Jones has offers from the likes of Southern Cal, Ohio State, LSU, Florida and Alabama and is considered one of the Sunshine State's top prospects.

"I really kind of have a top three right now," Jones said. "Alabama, USC and Florida are the top ones, but others are still in it. I am taking my official visit to the Alabama-Florida game this upcoming weekend and I can't wait."

The 6-foot-1, 182-pound Jones attended the NIKE camp in Tallahassee where he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.64 seconds, ran the shuttle in 4.19 seconds, posted a 31-inch vertical jump and did 12 reps on the bench press.

"Alabama has been a team that has been there since the beginning of the recruiting process," Jones said. "Both Alabama and Florida are off to great starts and have great defenses and I think it should be a great game. I don't know who I would pick to win right now, because they are so close."

Jones was named the 2004 Hillsborough County player of the year, where he made 146 tackles and 16 sacks. He has attended camps at Florida, Alabama and Rutgers over the summer.

"I like Alabama because they have been recruiting me since the beginning and they have a great defense," Jones said. "Florida is an in-state team and I talk to coach Drayton and coach Meyer a good bit. I have been up there and seen the campus and spent time with their players. USC is two time defending national champs and they have a great defense."

Jones is ranked as the No. 16 player in the state of Florida, the nation's No. 20 outside linebacker by Rivals.com and is a member of the Rivals 250 squad.

A.J. Jones VideoClick "Most schools tell me that I will play linebacker or safety," Jones said. "I know USC likes me as a safety, but the others like me as a linebacker. They tell me that they can put the weight on me once I get there. They say that they would put me in the box and blitz me all the time."Here to view this Link.