Mr. Jones and Me
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."
GREAT INSIDE STUFF JON...I love the Jones will now go out and put the word out about UCLA where and when he can...a BIG GET THAT CAN GET MORE!
this comment is mainly for the readers of this blog, how do Marc Tyler and Malcolm Jones compare at comparable points in their careers?
Jon, that was your best post yet. You're on fire dude.
This is obviously a huge get for the Bruins. Anyone who has doubts (mostly suc trolls) can just look at Malcolm's stats and the honors he's received. On top of it all, it sounds like he's a great kid.
Malcolm, accept a move to defense. You will flourish and so will UCLA!
I love MJ already.
good stuff for sure dude.
Great article. This is exactly the type of kid we want in Westwood. I hope he has a great career at UCLA and after.
Nice Counting Crows Reference.
Hey Jon, can you get Mr. Ward's phone number over to Mr. Jones, please? And any other top recruits while you're at it; many thanks in advance :)
Jones and Ward could be this year's version of X and Stan. Nice work Jon. Shoot, get him the numbers of James, Barr, Thomas and Stills as well!
Welcome Mr. Jones!
I wish you health and hope you have a fabulous career with the Bruins!
Now put on that recruiter hat and get yourself some lineman.
GO BRUINS!! FIGHT!! FIGHT!! FIGHT!!
Great, but what to do with all the extra RBs?
The more competition at a position the better, I say!
Don't suggest he play defense, USC told him that's the only way he would get on the field as a Trojan and he soured on them pretty quickly.
Kinda wanted Me and Mrs. Jones but that really wouldn't have worked out. Classic song though. Too bad.
Welcome to the family, Malcolm.
By many accounts, he's a good kid. Classy. Easily evidenced that he limited his candidate schools by academics, not just athletics (unlike so many other HS football players of his caliber).
I've seen him play... hard to gauge his true talent at the HS level... he's so much bigger than regular kids (plus his HS O-line is pretty big too). He's similar to Derrick Coleman as a RB, but I think he could really be something if he wanted to try college LB. He plays both ways in HS, so I hope he might be open to trying out as a LB (we're thin next year, plus he could get on the field sooner) vs. only RB (where we're stacked). And most scouting services list him as "Athlete" even though he's a top rated RB.