Will Muschamp’s experience with defense, LBs a big selling point for Ernest Jones IV
May 06, 2017
WAYCROSS, Ga. — After Ernest Jones IV graduates from Ware County High School later this year, Porsche Wells will happily make the four-hour ride to watch him play at South Carolina.
After all, she doesn’t want to miss any opportunity to see him knock heads in the SEC.
“I enjoy just seeing my son play,” Wells said. “I enjoy his versatility. I enjoy seeing him hit.”
On Friday, the 3-star linebacker announced his commitment to the Gamecocks before a gathering of friends and family.
“I actually fell in love with South Carolina when I went down there the first time and I met Coach [Will] Muschamp and [linebackers] Coach [Coleman] Hutzler. I felt comfortable,” Wells said. “I visited every school he went to. South Carolina was the one that made me feel at home.
“And, then, Ernest is a defensive player [and] Coach Muschamp is a defensive guru.”
That resonated with several folks from Jones’ inner circle, including Ware County coach Franklin Stephens.
“Ernest kind of asked me about [Muschamp],” Stephens recalled. “I said if you want to [play] for a defensive-minded coach who’s coached linebackers — he’s very intense and he’s going to make you the best that you can be. You’re not going to get any better than that.
“In playing for Coach Muschamp, you’ve got a former linebacker coach, defensive coordinator as a head football coach. You being a linebacker, you’ve got an opportunity to have a special relationship with that guy.”
Jones (6-2, 205) told SEC Country that Muschamp has likened him to former Florida linebacker Jarrad Davis, who was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft.
“Growing up, when Coach Muschamp was at Florida, I knew he breeds great defenses and they had a great defense,” Jones said, “So being able to talk to him and talk about how he ran things and he’s seen me and what player he compared me to, it drew me there even more.”
Hutzler’s presence played a significant factor in Jones’ decision to commit to South Carolina over Duke, Florida and Georgia Tech.
“He’s a great man. He comes with a lot of energy,” Jones said. “That’s what my linebacker coach here, he comes with a lot of energy. [We’re] going to click well. We’re going to make some big things happen at [south Carolina].”
Muschamp and Hutzler believe Jones profiles as a middle linebacker, though he’s open to playing wherever needed, special teams included.
“I’m a versatile player. I can do whatever you want me to do,” Jones said. “I can go on the inside and bang with the running backs, the guards, the tackles, anything. Or I can go out and cover.”
Ernest Jones III got that sense after watching his son’s first two flag football practices. He could tell that there was something “unique” about the way he moved on the football field.
His son’s decision to take that unique skill set to South Carolina makes him happy.
“I think it’s a good choice us, as far as education-wise, first of all and most importantly,” Jones III said. “Second of all, he loves football and I think they’re going to give him a chance to do what he does.”
What exactly does he do? Pretty much everything coaches look for in a middle linebacker.
“Eventually, he’ll get to that point where he’ll bring the leadership and coach’s mentality to it,” Stephens said. “He’s one of those individuals that enjoys playing the game, therefore he’s going to study the game, study film. He’s very coachable.”
[COLOR= rgb(0, 0, 0)]Ernest Jones IV[/COLOR]
May 06, 2017
WAYCROSS, Ga. — After Ernest Jones IV graduates from Ware County High School later this year, Porsche Wells will happily make the four-hour ride to watch him play at South Carolina.
After all, she doesn’t want to miss any opportunity to see him knock heads in the SEC.
“I enjoy just seeing my son play,” Wells said. “I enjoy his versatility. I enjoy seeing him hit.”
On Friday, the 3-star linebacker announced his commitment to the Gamecocks before a gathering of friends and family.
“I actually fell in love with South Carolina when I went down there the first time and I met Coach [Will] Muschamp and [linebackers] Coach [Coleman] Hutzler. I felt comfortable,” Wells said. “I visited every school he went to. South Carolina was the one that made me feel at home.
“And, then, Ernest is a defensive player [and] Coach Muschamp is a defensive guru.”
That resonated with several folks from Jones’ inner circle, including Ware County coach Franklin Stephens.
“Ernest kind of asked me about [Muschamp],” Stephens recalled. “I said if you want to [play] for a defensive-minded coach who’s coached linebackers — he’s very intense and he’s going to make you the best that you can be. You’re not going to get any better than that.
“In playing for Coach Muschamp, you’ve got a former linebacker coach, defensive coordinator as a head football coach. You being a linebacker, you’ve got an opportunity to have a special relationship with that guy.”
Jones (6-2, 205) told SEC Country that Muschamp has likened him to former Florida linebacker Jarrad Davis, who was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft.
“Growing up, when Coach Muschamp was at Florida, I knew he breeds great defenses and they had a great defense,” Jones said, “So being able to talk to him and talk about how he ran things and he’s seen me and what player he compared me to, it drew me there even more.”
Hutzler’s presence played a significant factor in Jones’ decision to commit to South Carolina over Duke, Florida and Georgia Tech.
“He’s a great man. He comes with a lot of energy,” Jones said. “That’s what my linebacker coach here, he comes with a lot of energy. [We’re] going to click well. We’re going to make some big things happen at [south Carolina].”
Muschamp and Hutzler believe Jones profiles as a middle linebacker, though he’s open to playing wherever needed, special teams included.
“I’m a versatile player. I can do whatever you want me to do,” Jones said. “I can go on the inside and bang with the running backs, the guards, the tackles, anything. Or I can go out and cover.”
Ernest Jones III got that sense after watching his son’s first two flag football practices. He could tell that there was something “unique” about the way he moved on the football field.
His son’s decision to take that unique skill set to South Carolina makes him happy.
“I think it’s a good choice us, as far as education-wise, first of all and most importantly,” Jones III said. “Second of all, he loves football and I think they’re going to give him a chance to do what he does.”
What exactly does he do? Pretty much everything coaches look for in a middle linebacker.
“Eventually, he’ll get to that point where he’ll bring the leadership and coach’s mentality to it,” Stephens said. “He’s one of those individuals that enjoys playing the game, therefore he’s going to study the game, study film. He’s very coachable.”
[COLOR= rgb(0, 0, 0)]Ernest Jones IV[/COLOR]