HOW DOES JONES FIT IN?
With Tennessee looking to restock at the quarterback position they decided to stuff the depth chart with as much talent as possible and take three highly regarded quarterbacks, including Jones who committed on Thursday. Jones has been on Tennessee's radar since last spring and summer when he was in Knoxville for their one-day quarterback camp that included instruction from John Gruden.
At 6-foot-3, 190-pounds, Jones is big enough to handle the array of chores Mike Bajakian wants his quarterback to be able to perform. He doesn't have the strongest arm, but he can put some zip on the ball.
One of the nicer parts of his game is his ability to throw on the move. He make make the difficult throws while moving in either direction and seems to have nice footwork.
A somewhat unknown about Jones is just how athletic he is. His coach didn't want him running a lot in high school but when he gets out of the pocket he always seems to make something happen. He looks like a very athletic quarterback that can makes plays with his legs and which should add an extra dimension to his game at the next level.
One positive for Jones is that he's run an offense with similar principles to Tennessee's in high school which should help in his transition.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR TENNESSEE?
It means Tennessee is almost finished in the class of 2015. The Vols are still looking at running backs like John Kelly. Bryce Love, Jaason Lewis and a few others, and they are still a factor for Pat Allen and Tyree St. Louis.
Ryan Newsome also remains someone the Vols are targeting down the stretch.
There's also Quarte Sapp on the defensive side of the ball but it doesn't look like there will be room to take more than just a few players.
The month of January should be pretty slow as Tennessee tries to keep its current class together while adding just a piece or two more.
Long term, the addition of Jones means Tennessee will likely look to take just one quarterback in the class of 2016. With Austin Kendall committed, Tennessee will now almost certainly have to fight to keep him as other schools will push to remind him just how many quarterbacks the Vols took in 2015.
SCOUTING REPORT ON JONES
Now we turn to West coast Recruiting Analyst Adam Gorney for his take on Jones:
"Jones likes to sit in the pocket and pick apart defenses whether that means chipping the ball down the field - which he does really well - or taking big shots for quick scores. The four-star quarterback can do it all and he has a very powerful but also accurate arm. I saw him play twice this season and both times he impressed me with his ability to scan the field and then put the ball right on the money all over the place.
"One part of Jones' game that is often overlooked is his ability to dodge blitzing defenders and then either set his feet and throw or get out of the pocket and run for yards. There are occasions when Jones has designed runs but if the pocket collapses he is athletic and nimble enough to escape and make something happen. His first inclination is not to run but if it has to happen he has the wheels to get going."
