Spartans host emerging junior safety
Michigan State hosted their first junior day for the 2013 class on Saturday, but Walled Lake (Mich.) Western safety Joshua Jones was unable to make that event because he was taking part in the Adidas Maximum Exposure Combine in Pontiac.
Jones was still able to visit East Lansing, however, driving up on Sunday to engage in the usual junior day activities.
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"It was an opportunity to meet their coaches and take a tour around the facilities," Jones said. "I met Coach Salem, my recruiter, and I met the DB coach. That went well and he really liked me. I sat in the room when they were watching film, getting prepared for Georgia, so it was a good time."
It was Jones' first time meeting Michigan State defensive backs coach Harlon Barnett, and the Spartans staffer told Jones he made a good first impression. The emerging junior plans to attend Michigan State's one-day camp in June if he has not generated an offer at that point.
Growing up, Jones said he was a general college football fan and did not have one particular school he followed. After having the opportunity to visit East Lansing, though, he is high on the Spartans.
"It was a warm welcome up there," Jones said. "I liked the facilities, the coaches, the players, how they do things and they run their DB's kind of like how we run ours. It's just a great school overall and great football program."
Central Michigan has also been in contact with Jones, and he plans to attend the Chippewa's junior day in Mount Pleasant next February.
This past season, Jones earned all-conference honors after he tallied 30 tackles and two interceptions, and returned three kickoffs for touchdowns. He lined up at the cornerback position this past fall, but is expected to project to safety in college.
"For my senior year I am going to convert to safety," Jones said. "I can cover like a corner, but I can also play safety."