SIGNED: OT Luke Jones
Little Rock (Ark.) Pulaski Academy offensive tackle Luke Jones has submitted his National Letter of Intent to Notre Dame
RANKINGS
Rivals: 3-star
BGI Grade: 3.5
Upside Grade: 4.0
MEASURABLES
According to his HUDL profile, Jones Runs a 5.31-second 40-yard dash and a 4.86 second pro shuttle drill.
STATISTICS
SENIOR SEASON: Anchored an offensive line that led Pulaski Academy to an average of 571 yards and 56 points a game in 2017
JUNIOR SEASON: Anchored an offensive line that led Pulaski Academy to an average of 513 and 47 points a game in 2016.
HONORS
SENIOR SEASON (2017)
Named first team All-Arkansas by The USA Today
Winner of the Willie Roaf Award, presented annually to the top high school offensive lineman in Arkansas
RECRUITMENT
POWER FIVE OFFERS: Arizona, Arkansas, Iowa State, Missouri, Oregon, Virginia
Jones first appeared on Notre Dame's radar in mid-October, and the then Arkansas commit made his way to campus for an unofficial visit on Oct. 21
While Bret Bielema's tenure at Fayetteville dwindled closer to an end, Notre Dame kept pushing for Jones to return for an official visit. Jones took the official visit to South Bend on Dec. 8-10 for the Echoes weekend, then headed to Arkansas the next weekend to meet new head coach Chad Morris and his staff.
Jones announced his flip to Notre Dame on Dec. 27, and even with the departure of Harry Hiestand for the Chicago Bears, stayed solid on his commitment and signed his letter of intent Wednesday.
NOTABLE
Born on Dec. 26, 1999
Boasts 3.5 GPA
Mother, Denise, is a member of Christian music group Point Of Grace.
Wrestled and played basketball until his senior year of high school.
2018 PROJECTION
Like most Notre Dame offensive line signees, expect Luke Jones to redshirt as a freshman.
BGI ANALYSIS
"Jones is a versatile player that can play guard, tackle and possibly even be groomed to play center, although the interior positions are his best fit. Jones is a physical football player that really likes to mix it up in the run game. He gets a good push at the line, shows strong hands and is a good finisher at the prep level.
Jones is built more like a guard than a tackle from a body type standpoint, but his footwork and technique allows him to effectively pass block on the outside. He is a bit tight though the hips and he's more of a waste bender than a knee bender, but Jones is highly effective as a pass blocker thanks to the traits just mentioned, and thanks to his lateral quickness. Jones uses his strong hands to shock defenders off the edge. His pass protection ability could allow him to handle tackle at the next level, but it projects extremely well inside.
The Pulaski Academy standout looks bigger than his 6-4, 290 pound listed weight, and he anchors very well. His leg drive and impressive natural strength allow him to move defenders off the ball. With a bit more weight room strength he should be a force in the run game. Jones really doesn't have any elite traits, which is why he isn't ranked higher, but his solid all-around game and lack of major weaknesses makes him a strong addition to the class." - BGI Football Analyst Bryan Driskell
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