Receiver Jones visits Tar Heels, but still open to others

Jones, a wide receiver from Cummings High School in Burlington, N.C., took an official visit to North Carolina this weekend. Jones, who is also strongly considering Tennessee and Clemson, left Chapel Hill still committed to North Carolina — barely.

"It’s soft," the 6-foot-5, 210-pounder said. "There’s no second or third place for Tennessee or Clemson. Everybody’s really the same."

Jones said he spent a lot of time on his visit talking with head coach Butch Davis, who was hired to replace John Bunting in November. Jones said Davis presented a plan for success similar to what he experienced at the University of Miami, where he compiled a 51-20 record from 1995-2000.

"He was telling me his history at Miami putting players in the NFL," Jones said. "He went to other struggling teams and brought them to great success. I really liked him a lot. He seemed very enthused."

UT’s biggest appeal to Jones is the chance for immediate playing time. The Vols will have to replace their top three receivers from last year: seniors Jayson Swain and Bret Smith and junior Robert Meachem, who decided to forgo his final season for the NFL Draft.

Jones, who visited UT on Jan. 12, also likes the UT quarterback situation. He said he’s intrigued by the opportunity to play with senior Erik Ainge and sophomore Jonathan Crompton.

"That’s basically what a receiver wants, an experienced quarterback and a good program and good coaches," Jones said.

The coach guiding Ainge and Crompton is offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe. Jones said he believes Cutcliffe will continue to improve the Vols’ offensive production.

"Every time I talk to him he’s already drawing up plays," Jones said. "There are wide open spots at receiver, and I know I can get one of those top three."

The person arguably most responsible for keeping UT involved with Jones is receivers coach Trooper Taylor, who was a candidate for the vacant head-coaching job at Division 1-AA Howard University before taking his name out of consideration on Saturday.

Jones said Taylor told him at his high school Friday that he was staying at UT, which came as a relief.

"Other coaches called me and said he was going to leave and take the job," Jones said. "It’s a good thing he’s going to stay."

Jones has an opportunity to help immediately at Clemson as well. He said the Tigers are looking for an impact receiver to take pressure off their running game led by junior James Davis and sophomore C.J. Spiller.

"The coaches said if they get a playmaker at receiver it will be pretty hard for other teams to defend them," Jones said. "If you just have a running team, they’ll just stack up and play on-on-one. They said they think I’m good enough to play one-on-one."

Jones has received interest from Alabama head coach Nick Saban. Jones said he’s considering taking an official visit to Alabama on Friday.

He said he plans to announce his college decision on National Signing Day on Feb. 7.