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| Wednesday, July 16 |
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| RB Kevin Jones commits to Virginia Tech By Jeff Goodman SchoolSports.com | ||||||
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The nation's top running back, Cardinal O'Hara High's (Pa.) Kevin Jones, surprised just about everyone when he tossed aside a Penn State uniform in favor of a Virginia Tech jersey on Wednesday afternoon. The 6-foot, 200-pound senior chose the Hokies over Penn State at a news conference held at his high school at about 2 p.m. ET. "At first, everybody thought I was going to Penn State when I picked up their shirt and didn't say anything," Jones told SchoolSports.com shortly after his decision. "But then I said I wasn't going there, took off my sweatshirt and had a Virginia Tech jersey underneath."
The crowd reaction was far from favorable. "There was some disappointment because this is such a strong Penn State area, but he couldn't go wrong with either school," said Cardinal O'Hara head football coach George Stratts. "He just said he felt more comfortable at Virginia Tech." Jones played in the 2000 National High School Football All-Star Game and also won the first-ever High School Heisman award for the Northeast region. He racked up 1,270 yards and scored 18 TDs despite missing two games with a sprained ankle. Jones was a huge fan of former Virginia Tech quarterback Michael Vick, who decided to bypass his final two college campaigns and head to the NFL. "Vick leaving really doesn't change anything at all," added Jones. "If I were him, I would have done the same thing." Jones attended football camp this past summer at Virginia Tech, and Hokies head coach Frank Beamer, along with running backs coach Billy Hite, met with Jones on Tuesday night. Nittany Lions coach Joe Paterno met with the star runner last week. "I just felt most comfortable at Virginia Tech and thought it was the best place for me," said Jones. "I'm happy the whole thing is over with and I can chill out, but Penn State and Tennessee said they are going to keep calling me." Jones will likely see limited time as a freshman since the Hokies return junior tailback Lee Suggs, who gained more than 1,200 yards and scored 27 touchdowns in 11 games last season. But according to Jones, he will not redshirt. Says Jones, "They said I'll be playing next year."
Material from SchoolSports.com.Visit their web site at www.schoolsports.com | |
ALSO SEE Lemming on Kevin Jones | ||||
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