UM commit and Owls star Jones: Tigers ‘on upswing’
A few visits to University of Memphis football practice were enough to convince Peyton Jones that his football future will be best served by staying at home.
Jones, a standout class of 2015 defensive end at Memphis University School, announced via Twitter on Saturday that he’s verbally committed to the Tigers and will make it official on National Signing Day in February.
“Honored to say that I’ve officially committed to play football at the University of Memphis,” Jones tweeted.
He said the atmosphere around the program is what impressed him the most.
“Memphis is on the upswing,” he said. “I really like all the coaches. I love the way they make practices seem like so much fun. Everybody’s flying to the ball and everyone is just so involved.
“I’m going to try and help make Memphis great.”
Jones had two sacks and five tackles for lost yardage as a junior, helping the Owls to a 10-3 record and a state runner-up finish in Division 2-AA.
An at hletic 6 - 7, 240-pounder, Jones said conversations with Tigers defensive coordinator Barry Odom have indicated he’ll line up at defensive end, outside linebacker or perhaps even at tight end.
He is the second local prospect in the class of 2015 to commit to the U of M in the last week, joining Melrose athlete Tony Pollard. And Jones said he’d be glad if more followed his lead.
“I think it’s really important (for Memphis players to stay home) since there’s so much talent in the area,” Jones said. “I think we can do a lot if we all get on board.”
IN SATURDAY’S GAMES
Christian Brothers, the top-ranked team in The Commercial Appeal’s baseball Dandy Dozen and the state’s No. 1 team in Division 2-AA, swept a pair of games against Lakota (Ohio) East in Nashville. Ole Miss signee John Wesley Ray pitched the Brothers to an 8-1 victory in the opener, while Central Arkansas-bound Corey Herndon improved to 5-0 with a 5-2 win in the second game. Breck Ruddick hit his first home run of the year in that one for the Brothers (21-3).
Brandon Dodd hit a tworun home run to back the pitching of Mac Barnes (3- 0) as second-ranked Arlington defeated Lexington, 9-2. Tyler Blount and Austin Brenner had run-scoring singles for the Tigers, who are now 24-2. ... Third-ranked DeSoto Central (20-5) won a pair of games, defeating Tupelo 7- 0 and Madison Central 11-3. ... Sixth-ranked Houston (22-6) won the championship of the Soddy-Daisy Classic in Chattanooga with a 2- 0 victory over archrival and No. 5-ranked Collierville (23-7). Jack Rude had a complete-game shutout for the Mustangs, while Jared Schmidt homered.
Blake Smith earned the victory to improve to 3- 0 and Von Watson hit his 10th home run of the year to lead visiting and seventh-ranked Briarcrest (19-1) to a 10- 6 victory over Jackson Christian School.