D.J. Jones commits to Florida State: Seminoles land No. 1 JUCO DT
One of the biggest reasons the Florida State Seminoles returned to the top of the college football world last season, defeating the Auburn Tigers 34-31 in a thrilling BCS National Championship Game, was the play of their deep and talented defensive line.
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However, Timmy Jernigan, Demonte McAllister, Jacobbi McDaniel and Dan Hicks will all have to be replaced. After next season, it could get worse – most expect rising juniors Mario Edwards, Jr. and Eddie Goldman to leave early for the draft.
On Sunday, the Seminoles landed a committed from a prospect that could help them immediately replace some of the production they are likely to lose. The nation’s top junior college defensive tackle, Scooba (Miss.) East Mississippi C.C. D.J. Jones, gave his pledge to the Seminoles.
“I just felt at home and the relationship I’ve got with this coaching staff,” Jones said via Christopher Nee of 24/7 Sports. “The opportunity for me to come in and play.”
The 6’2, 310-pounder attended Wren High School in Piedmont, South Carolina before heading off to junior college. He is ranked as the country’s top junior college defensive tackle prospect, the best junior college player in the state of Mississippi and the fourth-best overall junior college prospect, according to 24/7 Sports’ composite rankings.
Jones also holds offers from the Alabama Crimson Tide, Auburn Tigers, Clemson Tigers and Tennessee Volunteers, among others. He named the Volunteers his leader back in June, but an official visit to Tallahassee this weekend clearly changed his mind.
Jones is the 14th verbal commitment for the Seminoles in the class of 2015.