Notre Dame 2016 LB Commit Jamir Jones Talks Fighting Irish Football and 2015 Season

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

Seems like there is very little Jamir Jones cannot do on a football field. As a junior he ran the Wildcat offense for Aquinas Institute standing out as a quarterback but more running back while also starring at linebacker. During the 2015 season Jones made the move on offense to tight end and wide receiver, but kept ringing bells as a linebacker, lighting up opposing New York teams.

Good thing for Jones that his high school career is completed because there is little else left for him to accomplish as a player. He ended his senior year with 43 receptions for 822 yards and nine touchdowns scored. On the defensive side of the ball he was tough to beat accumulating a great stat line of 98 tackles, 68 solo, 23 tackles for a loss, 6.5 sacks, 18 QB hurries, one interception, one forced fumble, and 10 pass breakups. All of the hustling on both sides of the ball paid off for the Little Irish posting a perfect 13-0 record winning a New York high school state championship.

The do-everything athlete is not a big sensation on the recruiting trail because his path to the next level has been set since June 23, 2015, when he verbally committed to the Big Irish, Notre Dame. The 6’4”, 235 pound, Rochester area standout had offers on the table from programs like Boston College, Buffalo, Connecticut, Pitt, Old Dominion, Rutgers, and Syracuse, and no doubt would have had a lot more had he not committed to the Fighting Irish.

Notre Dame had an “in” with Jones that other colleges knew they could not overcome. Jamir is the younger brother of Jarron Jones, the massive 6’5.5”, 315 pound, senior defensive lineman for the Irish. Jones was a standout during the 2014 starting in 11 games until suffering a foot injury. Jarron had another setback in August tearing the MCL in his knee taking away 40 tackles, 7.5 tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and two blocked kicks worth of experience on the Notre Dame offensive line.

With a little bit of luck and a lot of hard work, the Jones brothers might be able to give the Fight Irish fan base a rare treat in 2016 with two brothers playing alongside one another fighting towards college football’s ultimate goal, a national championship.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I caught up with Jamir after his championship senior season in Rochester getting his thoughts on his final high school football campaign and a recruiting news update.

Interview

Jamir, the Little Irish put up big numbers in the championship game against Saratoga Springs winning 44-19. What was your final game for Aquinas Institute like for you?

“Going into the game, we tried to treat the week as we would any other week. We new it would be loud in the dome (Carrier Dome). I knew it would be my last time wearing the school colors so I wanted to go with bang.”

What type of game did you turn in as your last on the high school level?

“On offense I was not involved as much, I had one reception for 32 yards. We still got the job done. On defense I played well. We went against a 6’2”, 250 something pound power back (Dakota Harvey). He was hard to bring him down. They ran a hybrid Wildcat kind of offense. Their offense was tough to adjust to at first but I got the hang of it middle of the first quarter.”

How many tackles did you end up with in the championship game?

“I think I had 12 tackles.”

In the semifinal round you guys had a close call beating Liverpool 17-16. How was that game for you knowing that could be your last game with a championship game so close?

“We knew we were better team. We made a lot of mental errors. We knew we should come out with a win. They missed a field goal in the final minutes. We did not have to put up any more points and just sat on the ball to run out the clock.”

What are your strengths on the field as a linebacker?

“I think for me, I trust my reads. I use my instincts to get my first step off and beat the linemen to where they are going and what they are trying to do. I can get to the hole before the running back gets there to break up the play. That sets me apart at the high school level. I know college will be must faster. In high school, my physicality and ability to get off blocks and rush the passer are my strengths.”

What are you offseason workout plans?

“I’m going to start working out next week. I’m going to work on my lateral quickness and work on my explosive muscles. I have not been as fast or quick as I wanted to be in high school and I want to change that for college ball.”

 

Are any schools are recruiting you right now trying to flip you away from Notre Dame?

“I have not heard from schools lately. I believe the main reason is because once I got the Notre Dame offer that’s where I wanted to go and everyone knew it.”

What were the main factors that lead you to pick Notre Dame?

“It’s like a family there. You feel it once you are on campus. The fan base is out of this world and the connections beyond football are great and outstanding. Notre Dame has helped my brother Jarron turn into the man he has become today and I want the same for myself.”

I know you’ve made at least two visits to South Bend for Junior Day on March 21 and an unofficial on June 23, the same day as your commitment. When do you plan on taking your official to Notre Dame?

“I’m taking it next weekend for the banquet.”

What are some of the things you plan on doing during your visit?

“I want to get a better sense of the normal everyday life for a student-athlete and how much they put into everything every day. I don’t want to be blindsided by that experience. I want to build a better relationship with the coaching staff, I have not hung out with them that much so far.”

You are a Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl invitee, are you getting excited for that all-star game experience?

“That’ll be my first time in California. I’m happy to represent New York and Notre Dame in the game. There is another Notre Dame commitment playing, Khalid Kareem. I’m looking forward to getting to know him and getting to see that area of the U.S.”

Did you earn any individual honors in New York?

“I earned All-Greater Rochester first-team. The all-state selections have not come out yet.”

Is there a college player that you model your game after?

“I tried to model my game after Vic Beasley (Clemson), that’s the only person I can think of. He was a physical pass rusher who can stop the run. He was dominating at Clemson.”

Do you play any other sports for your high school?

“I play basketball.”

Are you a pretty good player?

“I do the dirty work, rebound and defense. This year I’m going to have to take a bigger role, the role more of a scorer.”

Do you know what you want to major in at Notre Dame?

“No clue yet, but something along the lines of sports management.”

Do you have a GPA you don’t mind sharing?

“I have an 89 out of 100.”

Do you have a score on your SAT or ACT you don’t mind sharing?

“I got a 1,500 on my three-part SAT.”

What is your favorite part of playing football?

“I love the game. It’s not a sport that you can just pick up and play, you have to work for it. The bond with players, teammates, and coaches is another thing I love. It’s just a great sport that can teach you a lot on and off the field.”

Jamir, thanks for your time today. Good luck at the all-star game and at Notre Dame.

“Thank you.”

Photo credit: scout.com; Jamir Jones at Notre Dame.

Photo credit: scout.com; Jamir in action for Aquinas Institute.