Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/941859
48 MARCH 2018 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED 2018 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE BY DAVID MCKINNEY Historically, the University of Ar‑ kansas has done a great job of put‑ ting a fence up around the state in recruiting. Each of the past three years (2015‑17), four of the top five players in the state signed with the Razorbacks. However, in 2018 the situation has changed. For the first time in years, three of the top five players in the state are heading elsewhere rather than inking with Arkansas. One of them is Little Rock (Ark.) Pulaski Academy offensive tackle Luke Jones, who was committed to the Razorbacks for six months before Notre Dame came calling. This summer, Jones will head to South Bend ready to represent his home state as one of the few that bucked the trend of heading to Fayetteville. "I think Arkansas high school foot‑ ball is definitely on the come up," Jones said. "This opportunity for me is incredible, and I'm excited to take advantage of it." Jones began to question his deci‑ sion to stay in state when it started to look like Bret Bielema, the head coach he committed to, was on his way out. He said the flip was much easier than he thought it would be. "It actually wasn't that hard," Jones said. "I knew where I wanted to go, and I knew that I'd found my new home. "It's hard leaving my home state, but I think I'll adjust fine and every‑ thing is going to be great." In Arkansas, Razorbacks football is taken seriously, but Jones said ev‑ eryone in his community was com‑ pletely on board with his decision. "That's one of the major things that helped me know for sure that I was going to be able to be success‑ ful up there," he said. "My whole school, my parents and my friends supported me 100 percent." Any decommitment and flip brings negativity from scorned fan bases, but Jones said he hasn't paid that any mind. "I know there are people out there lurking that are a little upset," Jones said. "But I'm sure they'll get over it." Jones chose instead to focus on the love and support from his family and friends, especially his parents. "They are the most support‑ ive people I know," he said of his mother and father. "They've been there with me every step of the way. Wherever I want to go, they're supportive. "Whether it's Arkansas or all the way up to Notre Dame, they want to do what I want to do, and they're extremely happy for me." On Feb. 7, Jones became the first prospect from Arkansas to sign with Notre Dame since Springdale (Ark.) High offensive tackle Bartley Webb in 2006. Jones said he carries a lot of pride for his home state and is ready to show the world what Arkansas can do at Notre Dame. "I'm going to represent Arkansas the best way I can," he said. "I'm go‑ ing to go up to Notre Dame and give 100 percent effort every single day and see how it works out." ✦ LUKE JONES OFFENSIVE TACKLE 6-5 · 289 PULASKI ACADEMY LITTLE ROCK, ARK. RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE ✪ ✪ ✪ — 45 4 ✪ ✪ ✪ — 57 5 ✪ ✪ ✪ — 38 4 STATISTICS • Anchored an offensive line that led Pulaski Academy to an average of 571 yards and 56 points per game in 2017. Pulaski's 784 points was a new state record. • Was part of a blocking unit that led Pulaski Academy to an average of 513 yards and 47 points a game in 2016. HONORS • Tabbed as an All-USA Arkansas first-team per- former by USA Today and Class 5A first-team all- state by the Arkansas Activities Association as a senior. • Was the 2017 winner of the Willie Roaf Award, presented annually to the top high school offen- sive lineman in Arkansas. RECRUITMENT • Committed to Notre Dame on Dec. 27, 2017. • Originally committed to Arkansas. • Primarily recruited to Notre Dame by former offensive line coach Harry Hiestand. • Took an unofficial visit to Notre Dame for the USC game on Oct. 21, 2017, and returned for an official visit at the Echoes Banquet on Dec. 8, 2017. NOTABLE • Born on Dec. 26, 1999. • Was a four-time state champion at Pulaski Academy, which went 54-2 during that stretch. He boasted a 49-1 mark as a starter. • Boasts a 3.5 GPA. • His mother, Denise Jones, is a member of the Christian music group Point of Grace. • Wrestled and played basketball until his senior year of high school. 2018 PROJECTION • Jones will likely redshirt as a freshman at Notre Dame. THEY SAID IT Head coach Brian Kelly: "We look at the offen- sive line with Luke Jones and Jarrett Patterson. We get great versatility in both of them. Luke Jones, four-time state champion. He's a winner." Offensive line coach Jeff Quinn: "He's big, strong and athletic. He's got great balance, he's tenacious and he's a guy I think could snap the ball, play guard or play tackle. These guys are all going to come in here and compete and show what they're capable of doing. Where those guys fit best in terms of getting the best five, that's where I see Luke." BGI football analyst Bryan Driskell: "Jones proj- ects as both an inside and outside player for Notre Dame, and that versatility is key. He's a physical blocker, and he looks very comfortable on the edge. Jones shows the foot quickness, bend and feel for protection to play tackle in the Irish offense. "From a body standpoint, Jones is built more like an interior player, and with his physicality that might be where he best projects in a Notre Dame uniform. Jones is 6-5 and has slightly above average arm length, which works just fine inside. "His ability to fire off the ball, to drive defend- ers off the line, his hand strength and his ability to anchor projects well to Notre Dame ground game." Luke Jones Wants To Represent His Home State at ND Jones, the No. 4 player in Arkansas according to Rivals, was part of four state championship teams at Little Rock (Ark.) Pulaski Academy. PHOTO BY ANGELA DRISKELL