Scotland standout emerges with offers
LAURINBURG, N.C.- Rivals.com Junior All-American Terrell Manning isn't the only Division I-A prospect at Scotland County High for the Class of 2008. Athlete Adrian Jones, who could play a number of positions in college, has emerged with early scholarship offers.
The 5-foot-11, 180-pound Jones plays quarterback for Scotland, but likely will play running back, receiver or defensive back in college. The speedy athlete is a conference champion in the 100 and 200-meter dash with a personal best time of 10.59 seconds in the 100.
Advertisement
"I wouldn't say I was built to be a quarterback," he said. "I am built to be a running back, receiver or a cornerback. With my kind of speed and my abilities, those are the positions that I want to play.
Clemson, East Carolina and N.C. State have extended verbal scholarship offers early. Jones also has interest from North Carolina and others.
Right now, the top two schools that offered me are Clemson and North Carolina State. East Carolina has offered me too and they are at the top of my list, too.
Jones likes what he has seen in recent seasons from the Tigers.
"For the past year they have been really good," Jones said. "I like their offense and how they run it. They have two good backs. I really could see myself in that jersey."
The new staff at N.C. State has Jones' attention as well.
"They have a new coaching staff and they are hitting the weight room up hard," he said. "They are really competing with each other and want to get to the championship game."
The Pirates have been on Jones hard.
"(East Carolina assistant coach) Junior Smith texts me and all that," he said. "He wants me to get up there on their campus and take a look around."
Jones talked about what he is looking for in a college program.
"I'm looking for a challenge," he said. "I have a challenge in high school and am looking for even more of a challenge when I go to college."
Despite his realization that he will likely switch positions in college, Jones has enjoyed his time as a high school signal caller.
"I really saw playing quarterback as a challenge," Jones said. "My freshman year I played quarterback for the junior varsity and moved up to the varsity. When I got to start my junior year, I had a good feeling about it, though at times I was shaky about it."