Jones knows he’s a need for the Florida Gators

The Florida Gators had their quarterback commit Jalon Jones on campus for Friday Night Lights and they had a few top targets for him to throw to in the Swamp.

One of those was receiver T.J. Jones (6-1, 185, Lake City, FL. Columbia) who enjoyed working out for the new staff.

“It was a great experience,” Jones said on the visit to Florida. “It’s so close to home, just like 30 minutes from home so it’s easy for me to get up here.”

Jones had the chance to meet with several coaches on Friday night and they had a general message for the receiver.

“Just continue to stay positive,” he said on the general message from the coaching staff. “Just keeping working hard on and off the field. That’s why they wanted me to come compete tonight [Friday] to see if I was a hard worker or not.”

The Gators have a few coaches recruiting Jones on a daily basis but receivers coach Billy Gonzales is the main one.

“Coach [John] Hevesy and Coach [Billy] Gonzales,” Jones said on the coaches recruiting him. “Me and Coach Gonzales talk more and he showed me around and showed me pictures. He always makes sure I’m alright and my family is alright.”

Gonzales has talked to Jones about just how the Gators could use him in the offense if he picks Florida for college.

“He tells me either inside or outside,” he said on where Gonzalez told him they want him to play. “He said they have a big need because the depth chart is low on receivers.”

Jones has done his research on Mullen’s offense and he knows just how successful past receivers have been in his offense.

“A lot of receivers have went to the league from his offense,” Jones said on Mullen’s offense. “So it’s a big opportunity to go to the league.”

The Gators aren’t the only school after Jones as several other SEC and instate schools want the receiver.

“Ole Miss, Tennessee, Miami, Florida State and a few others,” he said on teams recruiting him the hardest. “I’m really loving Miami right now.”

Heading into the fall, Jones has a few official visits that he wants to take and an unofficial visit on his mind.

“Miami is going to get one,” Jones said of official visits. “Louisville, Nebraska and Tennessee are going to get one. Florida is just close so I’m just going to unofficial here.”

 

INSIDERS TAKE: Jones said that he’s planning to early enroll so he will make a decision shortly before that. Jones says he has plans to visit Florida this fall.

Andrew Spivey
Andrew always knew he wanted to be involved with sports in some capacity. He began by coaching high school football for six years before deciding to pursue a career in journalism. While coaching, he was a part of two state semifinal teams in the state of Alabama. Given his past coaching experience, he figured covering recruiting would be a perfect fit. He began his career as an intern for Rivals.com, covering University of Florida football recruiting. After interning with Rivals for six months, he joined the Gator Country family as a recruiting analyst. Andrew enjoys spending his free time on the golf course and watching his beloved Atlanta Braves. Follow him on Twitter at @AndrewSpiveyGC.