Notre Dame Steals Top TE Aliz'e Jones, Puts Pressure on UCLA to Land Replacement

Aliz'e Jones ended his 14-month commitment to UCLA on Wednesday, resulting in a long speculated flip to Notre Dame. The 4-star tight end shared his decision through a series of tweets:

"

I am officially decommitting from UCLA. Thank you to the coaches and all the fans for your love and support! God has another plan for me!

— ALIZE JONES (@AlizeJones8) January 15, 2015"

"

pic.twitter.com/BT6cDd2i7U

— ALIZE JONES (@AlizeJones8) January 15, 2015"

His second post points to a fruitful 2015 pipeline between the Fighting Irish and Las Vegas powerhouse Bishop Gorman High School. The picture portrays Jones and teammate Nicco Fertitta, a defensive back who pledged to Notre Dame in April, serving as captains in South Bend.

Jones, rated No. 1 nationally among tight ends in 247Sports' composite rankings, played a key role during three straight state title runs at Bishop Gorman. He established career-highs as a senior, catching 41 passes for 930 yards and 13 touchdowns.

His yards-per-reception average (22.7) provides strong evidence that Jones isn't your average intermediate tight end weapon. The 6'4.5", 218-pound playmaker is more of a wide receiver at this stage of his career, capable of evolving into a hybrid weapon with further physical development and improvements as a blocker. 

Jones, who visited South Bend twice since September, adds to a Notre Dame class that continues to be boosted by players who initially committed elsewhere. Quarterback Brandon Wimbush (Penn State), cornerback Shaun Crawford (Michigan) and linebacker Josh Barajas (Penn State) are each 4-star talents who flipped to the Fighting Irish during this cycle. 

Brian Kelly's class bursts back into the top 10 in 247Sports' composite rankings with Jones on board, and now rates ninth overall with 23 pledges.

UCLA, meanwhile, must ramp up its efforts to reel in coveted Connecticut tight end Chris Clark. The 6'6", 247-pound Avon Old Farms standout is rated second only to Jones in composite rankings and remains extremely interested in the Bruins.

He is set to spend an official visit at UCLA starting on Jan. 23, but Jim Mora preferred not to wait for an in-person conversation with Clark. The Bruins head coach was slated to arrive in Avon on Thursday, the first day after college football recruiting's month-long "dead period" ended.

The cross-country trip confirms Clark is considered a top member of UCLA's "wish list" during its final push toward Feb. 4. National signing day looms large for a team suddenly lacking top-end talent at a position of need.

"

Coach mora sent this fresh pic pic.twitter.com/cGJ3nbaGex

— Chris Clark (@Clark8Chris) January 13, 2015"

Clark plays in the mold of a more traditional tight end than Jones, dishing out devastating blocks as a force in the run game. UCLA sent him a "future" article from ESPN The Magazine earlier this month, envisioning a Bruins career that includes All-American honors , the Mackey Award and a national championship.

He could serve as an immediate safety blanket in the passing game for incoming 5-star quarterback Josh Rosen, who will challenge to start as a true freshman. The potential duo would have a chance to post prolific career numbers together if allotted early opportunities.

Jones' departure from UCLA certainly seems to pave Clark's path to Los Angeles, but Michigan may stand in the way. Clark decommitted from the Wolverines following Brady Hoke's dismissal, but he became an immediate interest for new head coach Jim Harbaugh:

Michigan hosts him for an official visit this weekend, looking to lock up a re-commitment before he can head west. Clark already carries an incredible amount of respect for Harbaugh.

"I think Michigan's going to turn back into a powerhouse with him," he told Nick Baumgardner. "He's like the LeBron James of coaching it feels like."

The lofty praise presents reason for UCLA fans to feel concerned about the odds of him ultimately landing in Los Angeles.

Now that Jones is headed to Notre Dame, it's officially crunch time for Mora and company in the Clark sweepstakes. These next three weeks—and two university visits—could prove paramount for UCLA's future offensive plans.

Recruit ratings and info courtesy of 247Sports.