A funny thing happened on the way to gameday… Notre Dame received a commitment from Jarron Jones; its second 4 star defensive tackle recruit in less than a month. Notre Dame is a hot topic right now with season expectations at a high level, conference expansion talk, and of course- recruiting.
It seems like all of that is related in one manner or the other. Internet idiots have been pushing the idea that Notre Dame is poised to join the Big 12. I won’t even waste my time or your time in describing how insane that it. You already know. However, the whole conference expansion talk that uses the theory of, “this opens the doors to this states recruits for X school” is even dumber. Especially when we are talking about Notre Dame.
Jarron Jones is the 14th commit thus far in the incoming class of 2012, and he represents the 10 different state within this class. 10 different states involving 14 recruits. Yeah, I guess ND is a little too national for the Big 12.
Jarron Jones
Defensive Tackle
Rochester, New York
When Notre Dame turned away Tommy Schutt earlier this month, there was a large contingent of Irish fans that thought Brian Kelly had fell off of his rocker. How do you turn down a top 50 prospect like Schutt? You gain a commitment from a guy that was sitting on the very top of your recruiting board at defensive tackle.
Jones is a massive individual. At 6’7″ and 300 pounds, Jones fits into what Brian Kelly and Bob Diaco are looking for in their defensive lineman and nose tackle in particular. Jones had offers from EVERYWHERE. Yes, this is another “SEC-caliber” defensive lineman, as the talking heads would like to say. Schools like Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, and Ohio State that have been funnelling in defensive line talent into the NFL like they have a patent on the process, are all on his offer list.
Jones has originally committed to Penn State, but after a visit to Notre Dame, Jones became more and more comfortable with the Irish, and in the end; Jarron saw himself as a better fit in South Bend. We didn’t even need a 4 AM visit from Bob Diaco for this one.
The biggest knocks on Jones are that he hasn’t gone to all of the national combines (which is probably holding him back from being a 5 star by some services), and that he plays against poor competition. He is truly a MAN amongst boys, as you can see here:
With this commitment, Notre Dame’s scholarship numbers are sitting at 84 for 2012 if all players return with eligibility remaining. With a large number of possible prospects, and a class that will probably end up in the 20-22; you can start taking guesses as to what possible 5th years may be back in 2012.
Welcome to ND, Jarron!!!
