Nebraska DE commit sounds off on Pelini firing

When he took his official visit to Nebraska back in September, it was a meal with then coach Bo Pelini and his staff that really convinced three-star Lakeland (Fla.) Lake Gibson defensive end Reuben Jones that he wanted to be a part of the Cornhuskers program.

So when Jones woke up Sunday morning and checked his phone and found out the news of Pelini's dismissal, he was shocked.

"I was done when I committed I knew it was the fit for me," The 6-foot-4, defensive end said. "I picked Nebraska over Michigan State because of the coaches and my relationship with them. Now I don't even know if I have a spot there. They just put me in a bad predicament; they put the recruits in a worse situation because we are sitting here not knowing what to do. I have colleges blowing my phone up right now and I don't even know what's going on."

Jones has developed a terrific bond with defensive line coach Rick Kaczenski, but said when he called Kaczenski for reassurance on Sunday he didn't exactly get the answer he was looking for.

"I talked to my head coach and he told me that when they fire a coach usually the assistants go with them," Jones said. "I called Coach Kacz and he told me he might get fired too so now I don't know what to do. He said he's going to get in touch with me later on once he knows something."

Jones said he will pay attention to who the new coach is, but made it clear that his loyalty is with Kaczenski.

"If Coach Kacz stays then I will stay committed," Jones said. "But if he leaves and if I don't have a relationship with the next coach then I don't know what will happen. It's almost to the point where I would follow him wherever he goes."

Jones said he and other Cornhuskers commits have been in regular contact since the news broke.

"I've called players on the team, I've called recruits and we're all talking about what we're going to do," he said. "A lot of guys are saying they want to open up their recruitment. Nebraska is probably going to lose this class because they don't know what they're doing."

Jones said he still feels very loyal to the Nebraska fan base, but isn't sure how he feels about to administration.

"When I committed the Nebraska fans really showed me a lot of love and they know who I am and I don't want to let them down," he said. "At the same time I have to look at what's best for me. I'm super confused. I just hope they think about us and consider us. I know how big this is and I know they failed to realize the smaller things, ya'll could really lose a really good 2015 class and then if you lose the class you're going to suck the next three years because you lost a whole class."

Jones added that he will try to remain patient, but he will be watching the situation very closely.

"I want to stay committed to Nebraska but they have to do something really big, or show me something for me to stay committed. I feel like wherever I go I'm going to bring it. If you consider me a good prospect and you want me now, then you better let me know that I will be wanted by the new staff, too."