For the second year in a row, the Texas Longhorns won the recruitment for the state’s top player when Nacogdoches (TX) safety Brandon Jones announced he would sign with the Longhorns today. Jones chose Texas over offers from Texas A&M, Baylor, LSU, Alabama, Oklahoma, Oregon, USC, and countless others. The east Texas safety was ranked #1 on the 2016 HornSports Top 50 for most of the year.
Like Malik Jefferson last year, it’s also the second year in a row that Charlie Strong won a recruitment over Texas A&M for a player considered to be a heavy Aggie lean. Jones is an instant impact type for a Texas team looking to replenish their ranks at the safety position. In a year for deep talent in the state of Texas at the safety position, Jones stood out among the rest and has the potential to be the best safety to come out of Texas in a very long time. All credit for this recruitment goes to Jeff Traylor who built a wonderful relationship with the east Texas product throughout the year. Jones will immediately compete for playing time in the secondary and could factor into nickel packages early on.
Film Analysis:
Jones has a prototype safety build at 6’ 190 lbs., with long arms and legs which could support an extra fifteen pounds. Jones has a powerful lower body build with strong legs enabling fantastic explosion and speed, which shows clearly on film. Jones is an asset in the secondary both in the box and in deep coverage. He plays with clean footwork, plus instincts, and ridiculous range to position him against passes. While most east Texas prospects show high ceiling athletic traits they usually require more refinement in the technical areas of their games. Jones shows a higher level of technical development on film than we are used to seeing. He has quick change of direction skills and plus balance to go along with high-level ball skills. The mental aspect appears to be there as well, as Jones diagnoses plays at lightning speed on film to fly down and make a play. He’s a very hard hitter and a great form tackler who can wrap up and drive through his man.
Final Verdict:
If Charlie Strong recruits like this every year he is going to make many fans happy while simultaneously giving them heart attacks. The bar at Texas says they must be in (and win a majority of) the battle for the top player in the state. Jones should be a guy that makes an instant impact in Austin who can elevate a beleaguered position group. Jones is a bona fide blue chip prospect with a ceiling to be an All-American level player with a chance to be drafted high into the NFL.
