Arizona State '18 GA QB - Emory Jones (Transfer to Arizona State)

I think he ends up at Ohio State...........

Did not visit anyone this past weekend and they have gone silent which IMO means a final decision is upcoming...........

 

JUST ABOUT TIME TO FIND OUT

Last week, I suggested Ohio State four-star quarterback commit Emory Jones may end months of uncertainty by flipping to Alabama or publicly reaffirming his pledge by Sunday evening.

As many of you pointed out in the comments in the days following, though, the weekend passed without so much as a whimper.

Now, with the Early Signing Period less than a week away, it appears we may not find out until Dec. 19. Sources close to Jones told Eleven Warriors earlier this week he’s planning a ceremony for the last day of school and he’ll announce his final college decision that morning.

So, what will he do?

There’s growing but cautious confidence inside the walls of the Woody Hayes Athletic Center that the Buckeyes will hold onto his pledge. After all, he’s remaining committed though every visit, and what’s the point of stringing along an entire program — one that you once referred to as your “dream school” — only to decommit right before you were supposed to put pen to paper.

That said, I don't believe Jones knows what he's going to do, even though his coaches, fellow commits and mother all want and expect him to end up in Columbus. It won't be much longer before we find out, though. And if he does flip, the Buckeyes are more than happy moving forward with three-star commit Matthew Baldwin.

 

Big-Time QB On the Way to UF https://t.co/iCYFa0MNjt via @scoutmedia

— Jason Higdon (@Jason_Higdon) December 15, 2017

 

I would be shocked if he goes anywhere else than Ohio State...........

 

Ohio State QB commit Emory Jones checks out Florida Gators

Quarterback Emory Jones committed to Ohio State nearly 18 months but nothing seems imminent about his anticipated 2018 arrival in Columbus. The 6-foot-3, 195-pound prospect continues to explore other collegiate options, and those efforts will lead him to Gainesville, Fla., this weekend.

Jones is currently on campus at the University of Florida for an official visit, according to Zach Abolverdi of SEC Country. The timing of this trip is particularly interesting as new Gators coach Dan Mullen is suddenly on the hunt for a pledge at this paramount position.

Matt Corral, a 4-star passer who committed to the previous Florida regime, flipped his commitment to Ole Miss on Thursday night. It’s no secret the Gators need to improve at quarterback and can present roster opportunities that recruits might find alluring.

Jones, considered the No. 4 dual-threat quarterback and a top-50 overall prospect in the 247Sports 2018 composite rankings, may fit the bill for exactly what Mullen needs as he attempts to make his mark at Florida. Just as Urban Meyer can, the former Mississippi State coach can provide past examples of dynamic quarterbacks who’ve flourished in his offensive system.

It’s been evident for a while that Jones wasn’t heading to Columbus without at least looking in a few other directions. Alabama and Auburn both have been in pursuit, with the Crimson Tide claiming 11 consecutive 247Sports Crystal Ball projections through mid-December.

Now, perhaps things are trending toward an alternative SEC destination. The past five Crystal Ball predictions point toward Florida, and that result would be pretty impressive for Mullen considering his short history with Jones when compared to the other contenders.

Jones is expected to finalize his collegiate plans during the inaugural early signing period (Dec. 20-22) so odds are this will be his last campus visit prior to putting pen to paper.

Ohio State, meanwhile, added a second quarterback to its class Dec. 7. Former Colorado State commit Matthew Baldwin is now on board, and it remains to be seen how proactive the Buckeyes might be after Christmas if Jones does indeed back off his verbal pledge.

 

THE SAGA CONTINUES

With only a few days until college football's first Early Signing Period, it won't be much longer before we find out the final destination for Ohio State four-star quarterback commit Emory Jones. But while Alabama and Auburn have been his rumored destinion if he were to flip, it appears another program is making a late push to land his pledge.

According to multiple reports, Jones is currently on an official visit to Florida. The news since been confirmed by Eleven Warriors, as well.

Jones' visit comes on the heels of California four-star quarterback California four-star quarterback Matt Corral suddenly flipped his pledge on Thursday night from Florida to Ole Miss. His decision now leaves the Gators without a signal caller in their 2018 recruiting class.

Now, the news wasn't all that surprising, given Corral committed to Jim McElwain and new head coach Dan Mullen would rather have a dual-threat than pro-style quarterback run his offense. But with Florida unlikley to flip Georgia five-star commit Justin Fields or Auburn four-star pledge Joey Gatewood in the coming days, it appears the program has zeroed in on Jones.

You may recall, Jones told reporters at Friday Night Lights this summer he was interested in seeing what the Gators had to offer, but the previous staff decided to focus its efforts on Corral and Fields instead. He did acknowledge earlier this month he'd listen if Mullen called, though.

Now, I mentioned in yesterday's edition of The Hurry Up how there has been a growing but cautious confidence that the Buckeyes can hold onto Jones' pledge. But things change rather quickly on the recruiting trail, and Florida has to be viewed as a serious threat this late in the process.

It's important to remember, Mullen was an assistant under Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer, and he has the same offensive philosophy, too. The fit is there, but the Gators have a lot to overcome in a short period of time.

 

Sources: Ohio State QB commit Emory Jones expected to visit Florida State today for an official visit (VIP)https://t.co/zao1bD8Jeq pic.twitter.com/sbYIexzWsY

— Josh Newberg (@josh_newberg) December 16, 2017

 

Jones is on an official visit to Florida right now. Will take an overnight official visit to Florida State this evening.

Relationships are always the key to recruiting...............that is why I believe Ohio State wins this battle........

 

WE THOUGHT SHAUN WADE HAD A ROLLER COASTER RECRUITMENT...

It's safe to assume nobody knows what Ohio State four-star quarterback commit Emory Jones is going to do this Wednesday, including the talented signal caller himself.

Most assumed the 6-foot-3, 195-pound Jones would flip to Alabama following several trips to Tuscaloosa this fall, but Florida and Florida State have both made a late push to land his pledge. He was in Gainesville on Friday afternoon and well into Saturday before heading to Tallahassee late that evening, where he'll stay until Monday morning.

Neither the Gators nor Seminoles have a quarterback in the respective recruiting classes — the former having lost a pledge from four-star Matt Corral when he flipped to Ole Miss on Thursday — and their interest in Jones is nothing new. The feeling is obviously mutual, and you may recall he told reporters at Friday Night Lights this summer he hoped to take official visits to Florida and Florida State, but their previous staffs chased after Corral and Georgia five-star commit Justin Fields instead.

Now, there's two ways of viewing Jones' weekend foray in the Sunshine State: 1. That he's doing exactly what he's said all along, which is simply making sure Ohio State is the right place for him, or 2. The Buckeyes, Crimson Tide, Gators and Seminoles now find themselves on the same footing with only a few days before the Early Signing Period.

If it's the former, the double dip has everything to do with an accelerated recruiting calendar, and the pressure it puts on coaches, especially new hires like Florida's Dan Mullen and Florida State's Willie Taggart. They're not only facing the pressure of assembling a class in a matter of only a few weeks, but they're more likely to miss out on a top-flight quarterback because they'll all be signed on Wednesday.

Waiting until February isn't ideal, which is why Mullen and Taggart both invited Jones to campus this weekend, and out of every committed quarterback, there's no denying he's the most likely to flip.

Keep in mind Jones' relationship with Ohio State goes back nearly two years.

Jones will have a signing celebration at his high school on Tuesday afternoon, and then will fax in his letter of intent around 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday. Who receives it, though, is still to be determined.

 

Signee 101: Get to know 4-star QB Emory Jones #GoBucks https://t.co/i6Ngz0O8Pw pic.twitter.com/YELMgEndFr

— Landof10 Ohio State (@Landof10OSU) December 18, 2017

 

Here is what I have right now..........

It is a two team race...........Florida and Ohio State.........The depth chart at both schools is the main issue...........

Very attractive at Florida, they have no one.............So the question is what wins out in the end?

Relationships or an attractive depth chart...........?

My assessment is Jones is that he has talent but will need a RS year.............Florida is selling him on the chance to start next year..............that would be a bad decision for Jones when Mullen will have to recruit his kids and develop his system which will take time.........

My money is on....

 

Welp.

To be clear: I expect Jones to sign somewhere on Wednesday. Just not w/ Ohio State.

— Marc Givler (@MarcGivler) December 19, 2017