Richetti Jones

[Rockne3d 0]

This is a different article from the one Champ posted yesterday.

 

Recruiting Spotlight: Richetti Jones

By Sean Colten

 

The way that Lincoln Tigers Coach Jerry Sands describes Richetti Jones leaves little doubt why he is one of the top recruits in the Lone Star State.

 

“He’s an ideal student athlete…good person on and off the field,” he stated in an interview earlier this year. “He listens to his coaches and plus he has a great athletic ability. When you combine great athletic ability and a hard worker, you get great results.”

 

Great results is what this defensive end is all about, and offers from the top schools have started to roll in for Jones. Texas, Texas A&M, Baylor, LSU, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State have all made their pitch. It’s no surprise that Notre Dame has also expressed interest, with an Irish offer expected to come through in the next couple of weeks. One from Florida and another from Texas Tech are also not far behind.

 

Jones admits that Texas is an early favorite, with OSU coming in as a second choice right now. Texas is offering a defensive end position, differing from the LB spot that other schools like for him. “I really prefer defensive end,” he said when asked about how the different offers are stacking up. “But I realize that my future is probably at linebacker and I am cool with that.”

 

As a DE, Jones saw 75 tackles, and 25 sacks with 15 for loss on the road to the Texas state title game in his sophomore year. Last year he went all-state and looked just as promising, with 73 solo tackles, 15 sacks and 25 tackles for loss.

 

At 6’3”, 234 pounds, Jones cuts an athletic and dominating physique that earns respect on the line. He has good speed with a 4.6 in the 40, and cites the pass rush as one of his strong suites although that may change depending on the position that collegiate ball finds for him.

 

For Jones, the mental approach to football contains the secret to his success. “When I’m out there I’m ready to ball…that’s all there is to it,” he says with determination written all over his face. “You have to have your mind right. If you have that, you can beat anyone.”

 

Jones is another player who is targeting a December graduation. An early enrollment in 2007 is a strong possibility, and it fits well with his primary goal of early playing time. “I don’t want to be sitting on a bench until I am a junior or something,” he explained with a smile. “Wherever I go I want the chance to play early.”