Jones of SHS liked visit to MSU
It’s been a whirlwind week for Starkville High School offensive tackle Kameron Jones and things could get even crazier for the 6-5, 280-pound blocker over the next several days.
After committing to the University of Louisiana last Monday, Jones received word midweek that hometown Mississippi State was inviting him for an official visit. Spots are getting tight in the class, but Jones is very much in the running for an offer before Wednesday’s signing day.
“It went great,” Jones said of his official. “I got to go around the facilities and it felt good that they wanted me to come visit. My favorite thing about the visit is I loved putting on the uniform at the photo shoot. That was surreal.
“It meant a lot to take that visit. The old coaching staff weren’t that interested in me, but coach (Joe) Moorhead came in and told me that there was a real interest there. They’ve been good to me.”
The Bulldogs have been talking to Jones seriously for the last couple of weeks and he reports that he’s built a solid relationship with offensive line coach Marcus Johnson and coach Moorhead. With cousin Kobe Jones already on campus, he enjoyed spending time with all three this weekend.
“I hung out with Kobe a lot this weekend,” Jones said. “We sat around and hung out with some of players and just chilled. I love coach Johnson and coach Moorhead and both are cool guys. We talked about football in general and they said they like my film, so we had some productive conversations.”
Despite being an All-State tackle selected to the Mississippi-Alabama All-Star Classic from the highest classification in the state, Jones has flown under the radar somewhat. He’s accumulated offers from schools like Memphis, Arkansas State, Louisiana Tech and many others, but the Southeastern Conference hasn’t come calling.
That wasn’t until this past week when the Bulldogs have really put a kink in the situation for Jones.
“It’s been kind of crazy,” Jones said. “Recruiting is all year and it’s kind of old and I’m ready to end it. This process is very stressful and I have to make a decision that will be beneficial to me. I want to make the best decision for myself and that’s something I’ll have to think about.”
What’s left now is whether or not the Bulldogs will pull the trigger on an offer to the talented prospect. With spots tight, that offer is uncertain, but MSU is thin on the offensive line which lends to a scholarship option being a tremendous possibility.
While declining to go into too much detail, Jones reports that it was discussed with he and the coaches.
“They talked a little bit about it,” Jones said. “They want to sign another lineman and I fall into that category. They’ve only got one offensive lineman on board and I think that they want a few more so they want me there.
“It would be very tough to turn down if I do get an offer.” Whether or not he gets an offer, he feels like he has a great option in Lafayette. Former MSU tight ends coach D.J. Looney just recently joined the Ragin’ Cajuns’ staff and recruited Jones.
He likes where that program is headed and said he’d be happy to be a part of it as well.
“I like it at ULL a lot,” Jones said. “The coaching staff is really cool and coach (Billy) Napier has a good vision. I could see myself in what they have going on up there for sure.”
Jones will sign with a school on Wednesday morning at SHS.