Malcolm Jones lay in bed Wednesday night, UCLA-Stanford-UCLA-Stanford, the decision pounding his mind like a hammer, the weight of the recruiting world on his shoulders.
And then, it was gone.
“I was in my room thinking about it, thinking about what I liked and don’t like about each school, and I just decided UCLA was the place for me,” said the Oaks Christian running back, rated a five-star prospect by Scout.com and the No. 6 running back nationally. “I went straight to my parents and told them, and they were excited about it, too.”
They should be – he’s staying close to home.
After months of debate, of jockeying and of cajoling, Jones settled on the Bruins, informing them of his decision on Thursday morning.
Ultimately, in a battle between two academic institutions with rising programs, the closer one won out.
“It’s a good football program, a good school, and I felt really, really comfortable,” said Jones, who was selected for the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, along with teammate Cassius Marsh. “I liked how it’s in SoCal. I love being down here. I like the weather. I like everything about it.
“And my parents can come see me play.”
Play, and play early, he expects.
Though Jones will enter a backfield crowded like a London phonebooth – a junior, a sophomore, two redshirt freshmen and one true freshman – he said he anticipates to compete for playing time early.
“This is a team that’s up-and-coming,” Jones said. “They need big playmakers. It’s a big opportunity for me to help UCLA get back on top. That was a big part of my decision, knowing they don’t have one dominant back yet is another opportunity to show how good I am and get opportunities as a freshman.”
If his first year in Westwood is anything like his last year at Oaks Christian, he just might get those opportunities.
Jones has 870 rushing yards and 10 total touchdowns for the 4-0 Lions, ranked first in the state and third in the nation by Maxpreps.com. His success is nothing new.
As a freshman: California State Freshman of the Year.
As a sophomore: 2,315 total yards, 29 touchdowns, state sophomore of the year.
As a junior: 1,844 yards, 32 touchdowns (playing mostly first-halves), runner-up state junior of the year.
But now, Jones owns another role.
Recruiter.
He said he is about to become UCLA’s biggest salesman.
“I hope that me committing can get a lot of big-time names to come to UCLA, to not be afraid of losing,” Jones said. “I have to start looking and seeing who’s looking at UCLA and try to convince them, too.”
He is, after all, in it for the long haul.
There will be no flip-flopping coming that one fateful day, Feb. 3. National Signing Day.
“No, not at all,” Jones maintains. “It’s set for me. It’s set in stone.”