Interview: The Push is on for USC WR Commit Velus Jones ahead of National Signing Day
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @HogManInLA
When opposing defenses have game planned against Saraland High School the past two seasons, the top priority has been slowing down, not stopping, but slowing down wide receiver Velus Jones Jr.
Jones has been a terror on the field despite having a cornerback attempt to stay with him and having a safety over the top play after play in 2014 and 2015. All of the hours of film study and on the field pregame prep work seemingly did little to deter Jones. The best friend any quarterback could have, is perfectly suited for the long bomb and is quick breaking out of his cut in the zone finding a soft spot for his quarterback to deliver a strike. I asked Jones about his senior campaign, trying to find out the Spartans star receiver’s final stat line, “I had around 65 receptions for around 1,000 yards with 15 touchdowns.”
For his efforts, Jones was named team Offensive Player of the Year, team captain and was name first team All-State at wide receiver and as a special teams return specialist. Now the heat is on Jones with every other top program in the nation wanting his God given gifts at the next level. Jones gave a summary of his senior year adding, “It was a blast. I’ll never get that moment back and I’m trying to enjoy it over the last couple of weeks until graduation.”
In April of 2015, Jones committed to USC putting a dagger through the hearts of Auburn and Alabama fans not wanting to see the 4-star talent leave the area. The spring commitment has not slowed interest or offers. Mississippi State, Cal, Florida, South Carolina, Virginia Tech, UCLA, Louisville, Arkansas State, Cincinnati, and Notre Dame, among others, have all extended an offer.
Jones listed out his official visits “Oklahoma on Nov. 20, Michigan on Nov. 27, Tennessee on Dec. 4, and USC on Jan. 15.” When asked about his USC visit over the weekend, Jones was quick to respond, “It was amazing. We talked about football and hung out with the players. We ate some great food at great restaurants and had a good time.”
If Christmas is called the “Silly Season”, National Signing Day has to be the crazy season for players, coaches, and all the respective fan bases. All USC fans are worried that their 6’0”, 180 pound, gifted verbal commit with 4.36 speed in the 40-yard dash will be lured away. Comparing the USC visit to his others, Jones replied, “You know, all of my visits have been great.”
The two things Trojan Nation is most interested to know about, is Jones still committed to USC, “yes”, and if a team is pushing for his fifth and final official visit will he take it, “I’m not sure yet.” When asked which team is pushing the hardest for that fifth and final visit, Jones kept his cards to his vest, “I don’t want to give out that info right now.”
The Trojans 2016 recruiting class has been slowed by the mid-season firing of Steve Sarkisian. USC was off to a fast start but suffered a few key deflections once Sarkisian was dismissed. Since the end of August, just one recruit has verbally committed to USC, 4-star Junipero Serra defensive end Wole Betiku. USC has 14 total commitments with exactly two weeks left until National Signing Day. The one thing USC has going for the recruiting class, as it currently stands, is the best wide receiver haul in the nation with 5-star Tyler Vaughns, and 4-stars Michael Pittman, Trevon Sidney along with Jones.
USC Trojans 2016 Commitment List (14)
SS C.J. Pollard, 6’1”, 180 lbs, Junipero Serra HS, Gardena, California
LB Jordan Iosefa, 6’2”, 216 lbs, St. Louis HS, Honolulu, Hawaii
DE Oluwole Betiku, 6’4”, 250 lbs, Junipero Serra HS, Gardena, CA
DE Liam Jimmons, 6’4”, 240 lbs, Huntington Beach HS, Huntington Beach, California
DT Keyshon Camp, 6’4”, 275 lbs, Lake Gibson, Lakeland, Florida
OT Frank Martin, 6’5”, 300 lbs, Mater Dei HS, Santa Ana, California
OT Nathan Smith, 6’7”, 264 lbs, Murrieta Mesa HS, Murrieta, California
TE Cary Angeline, 6’7”, 230 lbs, Dowingtown East HS, Exton, Pennsylvania
QB Matt Fink, 6’3”, 185 lbs, Glendora HS, Glendora, California
WR Josh Imatorbhebhe, 6’2”, 205 lbs, North Gwinnett HS, Suwanee, Georgia
WR Velus Jones Jr., 5’11”, 180 lbs, Saraland HS, Saraland, Alabama
WR Michael Pittman, 6’4”, 205 lbs, Oaks Christian HS, Thousand Oaks, California
WR Trevon Sidney, 5’11”, 160 lbs, Bishop Amat HS, La Puente, California
WR Tyler Vaughns, 6’2”, 175 lbs, Bishop Amat HS, La Puente, California
Decommitted
RB Melquise Stovall, 5’8”, 180 lbs, Paraclete HS, Lancaster, California – Cal
LB Daelin Hayes, 6’4”, 250 lbs, Skyline HS, Ann Arbor, Michigan – Notre Dame
LB Mique Juarez, 6’2”, 222 lbs, North HS, Torrance, California – Uncommitted
DE Keanu Saleapaga, 6’5”, 270 lbs, La Mirada HS, La Mirada, California – Uncommitted
Photo credit: al.com; Velus Jones Jr. looks for an opening in the defense.