2016 RECRUITING ISSUE
BY BRYAN DRISKELL
Playing football and being a student
at Notre Dame is certainly challeng-
ing. For Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Acad-
emy running back Tony Jones Jr., being
challenged is something he thrives on.
As a sophomore at St. Petersburg
(Fla.) Catholic, Jones rushed for 1,145
yards and was named to The Tampa Bay
Times All-Pinellas County team. Jones,
however, wanted a bigger challenge, so
he transferred to IMG Academy for his
final two seasons.
At IMG, Jones was surrounded by
some of the nation's top players. Four-
teen seniors — including Jones and
safety Spencer Perry, another Notre
Dame signee — inked with Power Five
schools.
An even more difficult challenge
awaits him at Notre Dame.
Not only will Jones look to excel in
the classroom and on the football field,
which will be difficult, he also hopes
to get an opportunity to shine on the
baseball diamond, where the Florida
Athletic Coaches Association first-team
all-state outfielder hopes to play.
Being able to play both sports at the
collegiate level was a must for Jones
when selecting a college.
"There were only a few schools that
said I could play both sports," said
Tony Jones Jr. Has Two Loves
Jones hopes to stand out on the gridiron and the diamond at Notre Dame.
PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM
