Ronald Jones Sets Decision Date: Is USC or Notre Dame Best Bet for 4-Star RB?

Texas running back Ronald Jones is ready to decide where he'll play college football. The McKinney North High School standout will select either USC or Notre Dame when he announces his commitment Jan. 2 at the Under Armour All-America Game, per Ryan Bartow of 247Sports.

Jones, a 6'0", 185-pound playmaker, previously pledged to Oklahoma State. The Cowboys lost grips on that commitment earlier this month after an eight-month verbal pact. 

He already spent official visits at both of his finalists, fueling speculation that a decommitment was imminent. Jones, rated ninth nationally among running backs in 247Sports' composite rankings, rushed for 4,400 yards and 67 scores during the past two seasons. 

Now that this pursuit is down to a two-team race, let's examine his top options to find an ideal fit.

Notre Dame

The Fighting Irish added a verbal pledge from 3-star Pennsylvania running back Josh Adams in June, but the search for a second option has never slowed. Brian Kelly is also targeting fellow Texas product Soso Jamabo and recently offered prolific Tennessee rusher Ke'Shawn Vaughn. 

Notre Dame should be content to land one of the three uncommitted backs on its radar. 

Leading rushers Tarean Folston and Greg Bryant are both expected to return in 2015 though no player erupted for a dominant campaign on the ground in South Bend this year. Quarterback Everett Golson led the team with eight touchdown runs during the regular season. 

Folston certainly solidified himself as a viable option with four 100-yard rushing games, but he was limited to less than 80 yards in seven of the other eight contests. 

The door is open for a true freshman to command significant carries next fall at Notre Dame. A strong training camp could put Jones in position to carve out a role on opening day and expand it as the season progresses. 

Credit: 247Sports

USC

Steve Sarkisian must address the running back position, as the Trojans are suffering from a lack of options looking ahead. Past scholarship restrictions decimated depth across the roster, and the offensive backfield is no exception.

"It's one of the positions the sanctions probably hit the hardest," Sarkisian told Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times.

The Trojans risk losing leading rusher Javorius Allen, a candidate to declare early for the NFL draft. Sophomore Justin Davis has displayed a quality skill set this season though it remains to be seen whether he has workhorse potential. 

USC is seeking a solution by bringing in multiple backs with plug-and-play potential. The Trojans already carry a commitment from 3-star rushers Dominic Davis and Aca'Cedric Ware, another Texas prospect. 

Jones would add to the mix and carries more clout in national recruiting rankings than either current Trojans pledge. 

"I always remember Pete [Carroll] saying, 'You can never have enough tailbacks because you just don't know...,'" Sarkisian told Klein.

The Verdict

USC and Notre Dame have serious needs in the backfield, so both present intriguing options for Jones, who stands to compete for immediate reps with a strong start on campus. Each team has built quality offensive foundations during this cycle, with 4-star quarterbacks Ricky Town and Brandon Wimbush serving as catalysts.

The Fighting Irish provide an strong path to playing time given the program's current depth chart and recruiting class. USC should have a stronger aerial attack than Notre Dame next season, especially if quarterback Cody Kessler returns to school, so there's more pressure on Kelly to enter 2015 with a stable group of rushers. 

The Irish have other options like Vaughn and Jamabo, but Jones has a chance to seize that open slot and hit the ground running in South Bend next summer.

Recruit ratings courtesy of 247Sports.