Da’Mario Jones, Wolverine
| Westland (MI) John Glenn wide receiver Da’Mario Jones (image via Detroit News) |
Westland (MI) John Glenn wide receiver Da’Mario Jones committed to Michigan on Wednesday. He chose the Wolverines over offers from Bowling Green, Central Michigan, New Mexico, Ohio, and Toledo and had previously been committed to CMU.
Jones is listed at 6’2″, 185 lbs., claims a 4.4 forty, and runs a 10.8 in the 100 meters.
Ratings:
ESPN: 3-star WR, 78, #77 WR
Rivals: Unranked
Scout: 3-star WR, #77 WR
247: 3-star WR, #152 WR
Jones committed to Central Michigan back in July, but he continued to visit Michigan – for the BBQ at the Big House and for several games this season. It seemed he was angling for a Michigan offer, and that offer came when it appeared that Massillon (OH) Washington cornerback Gareon Conley would decommit from Michigan in order to take visits to Ohio State and Oregon. Jones jumped on the offer almost as soon as it arrived.
Jones has good size and leaping ability, so he could be an asset in the red zone, on jump balls, or on back shoulder throws. He’s capable of getting separation from defensive backs, shows good footwork and route running, and has enough suddenness to set up double moves. He’s not a shake-and-bake type, but he does show a knack for making a cut upfield after running laterally. Crossing routes should be an asset where he can catch the ball over the middle, look for a seam, and then gain extra yards. He also doesn’t shy away from contact, so he should turn into a plus blocker and gain yards that some receivers won’t.
Notice that I said he “could be” an asset in the red zone – Jones isn’t the most natural pass catcher, and he needs to work on snatching the ball out of the air. You can see in his film that when the ball is above his shoulders, he struggles to catch the ball cleanly. This could be an issue with better and bigger defensive backs, who might swipe at the ball and turn those into incompletions. Jones also shows good speed, but he won’t blow the lid off a defense.
Jones seems to be a quality addition to the team, and while he doesn’t look like a superstar, he looks like a very adequate addition to the receiver class. He has more big-play ability than the other two receivers currently committed, Jaron Dukes and Csont’e York. He reminds me a bit of Darryl Stonum, although lacking the same top-end speed.
This gives Michigan 23 commits for 2013, but that number will likely drop to 22 soon, once Gareon Conley exits from the class as expected. Jones is the third receiver in the class, and he should be the first player from John Glenn since running back Tony Boles, who played for Michigan from 1986-1989 (394 carries, 2247 yards, 18 touchdowns).
TTB Rating: 79 (ratings explanation)
The best highlight film is on Hudl, but here are his Youtube highlights: