2014 South Cobb (Ga.) DE Justin Jones was in Coral Gables last weekend for an unofficial visit, as he watched the Al Golden Football Camp as well as tour the campus.
“It was great. Going around the campus, thinking about the Miami life, looking at palm trees, everything. Coach Barrow took me and Juwon Young around on a tour in the rain, which showed he really cared about us. Not many coaches would actually take recruits around campus in the rain, you know what I’m saying? So that was big. They were telling me some good and bad things to look out for,” said Jones.
Although Jones did not participate in the camp, he was able to get a good feel for the coaching style.
“I saw the coaches at the camp. A lot of coaches can say what they’re about, but you don’t really get the full picture until you see it in person.”
One of the highlights of the trip for Jones was his meeting with Coach Golden.
“My mom and I spoke to Al Golden one-on-one. He said all the schools I was looking at were good and to make the decision with my heart. That was big for my mom because he wasn’t in a rush to get me to commit.”
Jones’ mother was also impressed on the trip.
“She loved it. She thought it would be different, but we found out it’s like a small school with a big name. The class size is 11 to 1 so the teachers can know my name and I wouldn’t just be a number.”
So where do the ‘Canes stand after this visit?
“This pushed them up definitely. I don’t have a leader, but they’re up there.”
An interesting twist developed for Miami’s chances with Jones when his friend, Juwon Young, committed to the ‘Canes.
“We played at the Junior Bowl together. We were on the same team and the same side of the hotel so we spent a lot of time together. We knew the type of people each of us were so when he committed to Miami it was even better because it is somebody you know.”
**Jones spent a lot of time with fellow Georgia native Tyrone Cornileus.
**He will be visiting Wake Forest and NC State this weekend and hopes to make a final decision before his senior season begins.
“It was great. Going around the campus, thinking about the Miami life, looking at palm trees, everything. Coach Barrow took me and Juwon Young around on a tour in the rain, which showed he really cared about us. Not many coaches would actually take recruits around campus in the rain, you know what I’m saying? So that was big. They were telling me some good and bad things to look out for,” said Jones.
Although Jones did not participate in the camp, he was able to get a good feel for the coaching style.
“I saw the coaches at the camp. A lot of coaches can say what they’re about, but you don’t really get the full picture until you see it in person.”
One of the highlights of the trip for Jones was his meeting with Coach Golden.
“My mom and I spoke to Al Golden one-on-one. He said all the schools I was looking at were good and to make the decision with my heart. That was big for my mom because he wasn’t in a rush to get me to commit.”
Jones’ mother was also impressed on the trip.
“She loved it. She thought it would be different, but we found out it’s like a small school with a big name. The class size is 11 to 1 so the teachers can know my name and I wouldn’t just be a number.”
So where do the ‘Canes stand after this visit?
“This pushed them up definitely. I don’t have a leader, but they’re up there.”
An interesting twist developed for Miami’s chances with Jones when his friend, Juwon Young, committed to the ‘Canes.
“We played at the Junior Bowl together. We were on the same team and the same side of the hotel so we spent a lot of time together. We knew the type of people each of us were so when he committed to Miami it was even better because it is somebody you know.”
**Jones spent a lot of time with fellow Georgia native Tyrone Cornileus.
**He will be visiting Wake Forest and NC State this weekend and hopes to make a final decision before his senior season begins.