Michigan Advances Its Case With Jones

Orlando (Fla.) Oak Ridge linebacker Jonathan Jones has long been one of Michigan’s top targets in the 2016 class. The No. 19 inside linebacker nationally and No. 66 senior in Florida is a three-star, but has been a priority for the Maize and Blue. The 6-0, 207-pounder took an unofficial visit to Ann Arbor in the summer, and returned over the weekend for his official visit.

He had an action-packed weekend, with plenty to see and do. He arrived Friday evening and left Sunday afternoon.

“The first day, I got off the plane, then my mom and I linked up with Coach Elijah [Sandweiss, a U-M recruiting assistant] and drove to the school,” Jones detailed. “The first thing was we talked to a lot of academic people. I talked to a professor, I talked to the sports management professor, then I talked to the administration for the Ross School of Business. They just took me through the process of how everything would go down. After that, we went out to eat a little bit. Then they had a little dinner - it was called Taste of Ann Arbor - where they had great dishes from all the restaurants in Ann Arbor. Then I linked up with my host, Tyree [Kinnel, a freshman safety], and we went out and had a little fun to see the nightlife. That was it for the first day.

“Second day, I woke up and had breakfast. We went to a cool spot. After that, we talked to another academic advisor - the academic advisor for the football team. They just went through all the resources they have, and how they’ll help you. After that, we went to a little basketball game. After that, they did a big dinner and a dance for the football team and their families and coaches, with the recruits. I had a fun time there: they had karaoke, a dance battle, stuff like that. After that, we went to the movies, and saw Creed. I ended up falling asleep, but it was a great movie. They’re long days and long nights, so I ended up falling asleep.

“The third day, it was a lot of getting ready [to return home]. I talked to Coach Harbaugh for a nice minute, and got to know him better. Then after that I met family, I have some family up there and met with them for a little bit. Then I got on the plane and came back home.”

Jones has narrowed his list to Michigan, Notre Dame, and Duke. He took his official visit to South Bend for the Irish’s September win over UMass, and will head to Durham in late January. After that, Jones will begin to narrow those three choices to just one lucky winner.

“Nah, I don’t have a pecking order,” he said. “They’re all right there even still. They’re all great schools, and they’ve all got something great to give me. They’re all similar in a lot of places. It really is just where God wants me.

“I visit Duke January 21st. I’m going to take that, and then after that, I’ll see where it goes from there. Right now, I’m just training for not only the next level, but I got invited to the U.S. National team, so I’m training and getting fit for that. Then I’ll still be praying on it and still evaluating everything.”

Meeting with U-M head coach Jim Harbaugh gave him a chance to learn about one thing that differentiates the Wolverines from his other contenders: the depth chart at his position. There’s a strong need for linebackers in the 2016 class, and even an opportunity for a true freshman to come in and contribute immediately next fall.

“We just talked about where he sees me playing, the direction he sees the program going, and just the type of dude he is,” Jones said. “My mom was there, so he really was talking on how they take care of the dudes, how he’ll always be there for me and stuff like that, not just his plans for me.

“I think it would be the Sam or the Will. Then I’d probably go up to that Mike position after Gedeon, one of the linebackers there, he’ll be a senior, and they plan on me being right next to him and eventually move up to his spot once he graduates. They see me as that inside backer spot, for sure. They see me as a dominant leader, and someone who can - will - make an impact early because they’re so short on backers.

“Between Duke and Notre Dame, Michigan definitely has the best depth chart of linebackers. It’s their No. 1 need right now, for sure. It’s wide open to compete for it. It makes a nice impact and definitely is something I’ll consider and look at.”

After a long weekend spent in Ann Arbor, did the Wolverines help their case to earn his signature come National Signing Day 2015?

“Most definitely, it was great to see everybody,” Jones said. “I met more people, saw more of the town, and more of the college. It was great.”

U-M currently has one true linebacker committed, Alabama three-star Dytarious Johnson. The Wolverines are waiting on a decision from four-star Devin Bush tomorrow, and Jones closer to the end of the recruiting cycle.