Pitt first to offer Jones

Homestead (Fla.) South Dade outside linebacker Joey Jones hadn't heard from Pittsburgh before this week, but the 6-foot, 198-pound defender's first conversation with the Panthers surprised him as they pulled the trigger and offered him.

"They are my first offer," Jones said. "It was kind of out of the blue. I had never gotten a letter from them or anything. They just offered."

Jones shared how the offer was formally extended.

"My head coach called me and told me that he was speaking with them and that they were interested," Jones said. "I then spoke with them and they told me. I spoke with the offensive coordinator and he was explaining a little bit about Pitt. He asked me if I had any offers. He also spoke with my parents. That was pretty much it."

According to Jones, the conversation between the Pitt coaching staff and his family went well.

"Yeah, they liked what they heard," Jones said. "My mom especially was impressed in talking with them."

The South Florida prospect has some familiarity with the Big East program due to one of their former conference foes.

"I know a bit about them from before the change in conferences, from when they used to play the University of Miami," Jones said. "That is when they first got my attention. I am hoping to learn more about them."

In addition to Pittsburgh, Jones is also drawing interest from Bowling Green, Florida International, Marshall, Memphis, and Rutgers. When it comes time for him to select a college, he is looking at factors both on and off the field.

"It isn't their record so much, as the direction of the program," Jones said. "I look at Pitt and feel they are going up. I want to be a part of a program that is going in the right direction and heading for a championship."

"Academics are going to be the first thing though," Jones said. "I want to find a place I can get a good education."