Nebraska picked up its second football commitment in three days Thursday night as offensive playmaker Miles Jones announced he plans to sign with the Huskers next month.
The 5-foot-8, 165-pound standout from American Heritage School (Plantation, Florida) is versatile enough that recruiting services simply label him an “athlete” for his ability to thrive as a running back and slot receiver. As his prep team finished 14-0 last fall, Jones contributed by rushing for 695 yards (11.4 yards per carry) and 401 receiving yards to go with 16 total touchdowns (two on kickoff returns).
In a two-minute video featuring highlights and audio clips from announcers, Miles made his Nebraska decision official and capped the post by putting on a red Nebraska visor.
“I committed to Nebraska because the offense is creative enough for my skill set and this feels like home for me,” Jones says during his video. “And we’re going to do big things over there.”
Jones had been committed to Vanderbilt for more than eight months, including during his official visit to Nebraska last weekend. But he backed off from the Commodores on Tuesday, tweeting that he was taking “short term” football goals out of his college evaluation and working through “the person I am and what makes me happy.”
The explosive runner — who flashes impressive change-of-direction skills on his highlight film — holds more than a dozen offers, including Georgia, Mississippi State, Oregon State and Wisconsin. He has taken unofficial visits to schools like Notre Dame, Ohio State, Alabama and Miami (Florida).
Rivals rates Jones a four-star recruit and the No. 17 athlete nationally. ESPN and 247Sports each give him three stars. He becomes NU’s 17th commit in the Class of 2018 and 11th new addition under Frost.
Jones is familiar with big-time talent. His American Heritage coach is Patrick Surtain — the former NFL All-Pro defensive back who spent 11 years in the league with Miami and Kansas City — and his trainer and mentor is Arturo Freeman, who logged six NFL seasons as a DB with Miami and New England.
Nebraska’s new pledge is used to being surrounded by elite current players too, Patrick Surtain Jr. and Tyson Campbell are both uncommitted five-star cornerback prospects for American Heritage. Anthony Schwartz (four-star wideout and Auburn commit) and Nesta Silvera (four-star defensive tackle and Miami commit) are teammates as well.
Jones has verified times of 4.62 seconds in the 40-yard dash and 10.7 seconds in the 100 meters. His vertical jump measures at an elite 37.9 inches.
The playmaker felt good enough about his college prospects after committing to Vanderbilt in March to tell one online outlet, “Get ready for the ride of your life.”
Nebraska has five other scholarship running backs currently in the mix. That includes returning seniors Devine Ozigbo and Mikale Wilbon, junior Tre Bryant and sophomore Jaylin Bradley, along with December junior-college signee Greg Bell.
Other 2018 backs scheduled for official visits include four-star Jashaun Corbin (this weekend from Rockledge, Florida) and Ta’Zhawn Henry (Feb. 2 from Houston).
