The late chase of the North Carolina decommit paid off for Kerry Cooks as Ryan Jones, one of the biggest sleepers of this class, made it official by signing a Letter of Intent with the Sooners. The four-star athlete’s experience on both sides of the ball should help him become an exciting playmaker at Oklahoma for years to come. He has great size at 6-2, 219 pounds, and could see the field early in a young secondary with playing time and starting spots up for grabs.
The first letter of intent is in… Welcome @RyanJonesD1 to Sooner Nation! #OUDNA #SoonerSquad17 #NSD17
— Bob Stoops (@OU_CoachStoops) February 1, 2017
➡️ https://t.co/fFj9qPcoLY pic.twitter.com/mULDNjy0XK
How He Fits In
Jones certainly looks the part of a D-1 athlete already and displays good tackling ability and coverage skills. With his startling combination of size and athleticism, he also shows good instincts that will continue to develop with more time exclusively on the defensive side of the ball at the next level. Jones’s experience playing wide receiver and defensive back through high school look to have set the foundation for a budding sleeper and potential do-it-all playmaker in the vain of former OU two-way standout and national champion Andre Woolfolk.
#SoonerSquad17 has quietly added two more hybrid athletes with great size and football IQ in Jones and Southlake Carroll star and Sooner legacy Robert Barnes. The competition at this position will be one to keep an eye on as Will Sunderland, Chance Sylvie, Kahlil Haughton and Will Johnson are already on roster looking to win the starting spot vacated by graduating starter Ahmad Thomas. Jones still has some development to go but is excited to be in the mix right away.
“I know the huge stage at Oklahoma, and I feel like I'm ready for it," Jones told Rivals after committing to the Sooners last Saturday. "I'm ready to come in and get down to business. I'll be playing safety. I think my ball skills will really help me in that position.”
Originally offered by OU back in July 2015, Jones also cited his familiarity with a couple of fellow Charlotte guys already in Norman in helping ultimately steer him to the Sooners.
“It's great to know that I'll have two guys there that I know. Austin Kendall and Jeremiah Hall are both from Charlotte and I played 7-on-7 with Jeremiah,” Jones said of his soon-to-be teammates.
Jones, who decommitted last September from North Carolina, also held offers from numerous schools including Tennessee, Marshall, Louisville, NC State, Wisconsin and West Virginia. Needing only one visit to Norman to make up his mind, Jones already looks at home in the crimson and cream.
Welcome home, Ryan! #HornsDown
OU is home. pic.twitter.com/uB8LAZ8dgM
— Ryan Jones (@RyanJonesD1) January 29, 2017
Highlights