Ronald Jones II to USC: Trojans Land 4-Star RB Prospect

About three weeks after decommitting from Oklahoma State, Ronald Jones II has a new home. The 4-star running back announced his decision to attend USC at Friday's annual Under Armour Game, spurning rival Notre Dame in the process.

Jones announced it via Twitter:

Jones, who verbally committed to Oklahoma State in April, re-opened his commitment on Dec. 14. The decision came after official visits to Notre Dame and USC, each national power impressing him enough to move into his top two. 247Sports Crystal Ball predictions gave the Trojans a 38 percent chance of landing the McKinney North product, while Notre Dame came in at 25 percent.

Jackie Dockery-Jones, Jones' mother, told Bryan Driskell of IrishSportsDaily.com that Notre Dame's tradition stood out when taking his visit.

“With Notre Dame he told me about the solid football history,” she explained.  “He could tell you all the good offensive linemen they have, the education and the academics.  He knew that was strong and the potential to play early.  He’s really bragged about the offensive line.”

Listed at 6'0" and 185 pounds, Jones emerged as one of the nation's top running backs. Composite rankings at 247Sports list him as the ninth-best player at his position and No. 11 overall in the state of Texas. He's rushed for more than 2,000 yards each of the last two seasons and has 73 career touchdowns, per MaxPreps. Still just 17 years old, Jones runs in the 4.4 range in the 40-yard dash.

“He’s a home run hitter,” McKinney North coach Mike Fecci told John Helsley of The Oklahoman. “If you can get him to the second level, the linebacker level, he’s got a chance to take it all the way. He’s got an uncanny ability of knowing how to make that one cut, and then go full speed when other people are just trying to catch up."

While he's a home-run hitter, Jones will have to fill out a little bit more to withstand major college punishment. His build is a little on the slighter side than you'd hope, and it'll be interesting to see if his explosion can continue with a weight gain.

If he's able to add 20 pounds and keep the booming speed, TEAM X may have a superstar on their hands. Jones possesses nearly every trait you could want as a rusher. He has above-average vision to go with his speed and doesn't overly rely on his physical advantages. Polished is a trait given to few high school running backs, but Jones fits the bill.

McKinney North almost never had him catch passes out of the backfield, so his hands are a question mark as well. That said, there's much reason for celebration in Los Angeles.

 

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