Washburn RB Jeff Jones Will Sign With Gophers
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Minnesota's top high school football player will be wearing Maroon and Gold at the University of Minnesota in the fall.
Minneapolis Washburn senior Jeff Jones, who recently won Mr. Football, made his college decision official on Wednesday. It's National Signing Day for high school football recruits as they make their verbal commitments official by signing national letters of intent for college. Jones gave his verbal commitment to the Gophers and coach Jerry Kill more than a year ago, but soon after decided to keep his recruitment open.
He finished the 2013 regular season with more than 1,300 yards rushing and 32 rushing touchdowns. He also had six receiving touchdowns.
Jones is rated one of the top running backs in the country by most recruiting web sites and had scholarship offers from Minnesota, Tennessee, Michigan, Florida and Iowa State among several others. His final schools were Minnesota and Iowa State. The Gophers offered Jones a scholarship when he was a high school sophomore.
Jones announced in front of friends, family and classmates at a news conference Wednesday morning that he will go to Minnesota and play for the Gophers. He's the top prospect in the state and one of the top rated running backs in the country.
"The staff over there is great," Jones said of Minnesota. "It's just a great opportunity to come in and be able to contribute right away. Coach Kill is a genuine guy and he seems to have the best interest for his players before and after football."
His decision gives the 2014 recruiting class for the Gophers a big boost. Both Rivals and Scout ranked Minnesota's class 49th nationally, the highest under coach Jerry Kill.
Some of Minnesota's other top high school seniors also signed letters of intent to make their college choice official. Offensive lineman J.C. Hassenauer of East Ridge signed with Alabama, and offensive lineman Frank Ragnow of Chanhassen singed with Arkansas.
