Tennessee really gave me their all, Jones shared with Landof10.com. It was amazing. Theyre probably back even (with Ohio State).
While that sounds like bad news for Tim Beck and the Buckeyes, it definitely could be worse. Butch Jones and the Vols landed eight commitments thanks to their big Orange Carpet weekend and Jones wasnt one of them. To say no in the face of significant pressure to say yes means Ohio State had a pretty comfortable cushion. If you remember, before receiving his Ohio State offer, Jones was close really close to committing to Tennessee. The reason he didnt? Ohio State was his dream school. Hearing from the Buckeyes changed his entire recruitment and thats telling. Ohio State has a lot of influence in his recruitment. Only the Buckeyes interest and surge prevented him from committing to Tennessee. The Buckeyes may not lead right now (though I think they probably still do), but theyre not trailing.
While the Volunteers didnt get the huge commitment they no doubt were pushing for, they did manage to get him to delay a commitment to Ohio State. At least for now.
Whats the potential hold up?
What methods are Tennessee, Clemson and others using in hopes of fighting off the Buckeyes? A recruiting staple: the depth chart.
Every good program has good players, right? Yes, but other coaches are saying that at Ohio State, Joe Burrow, Dwayne Haskins, Tate Martell and Danny Clark would be on the roster ahead of Jones.
When will you get playing time, Emory?
Thats something that is in play here. Will that sway Jones? I dont know, but Im not inclined to think so.
Theres another, less important factor as well: distance from home. In 2015, Ohio State missed on ShMar Kilby-Lane, a 4-star linebacker who grew up dreaming of playing for the Buckeyes. Why? Florida State was able to convince him that everything he could get from a college career as a Buckeye, he could get as a Seminole. While its debatable Tennessee can match Ohio State on that front, the lure of staying closer to home is always something to watch.
My pick for Jones is still the Buckeyes, and I think that the sooner a decision happens, the more likely its Ohio State. Its important to Jones to commit early. He wants to be a leader in his recruiting class, helping bring talent along with him.
The more time that separates him from his recent visit to Tennessee, the more hell lean back towards Ohio State.
https://www.landof10.com/ohio-state/georgias-emory-jones-still-looking-hard-at-ohio-state-tennessee