Ohio Football

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Rising Star: Austin Jones

By Dan Clasgens | Managing Editor

CHCA's Austin Jones was one of the Tri-state area's top receivers as a junior.

After leading the Cincinnati area in both receiving yards and receiving touchdowns as a junior, Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy’s Austin Jones defines the term Rising Star. He is the latest athlete featured in our series of articles highlighting some of the Tri-state’s top young talent.

Jones was a reserve running back as a freshman and used mostly as a defensive back as sophomore before settling in as a starting wide receiver as a junior. He responded by pulling in 63 catches for 1,187 yards and 16 touchdowns.

“It started in the offseason during lifting and working on speed training with my teammates,” Jones said of his fast rise. “I started getting confidence probably halfway through the season and I saw my teammates had faith in me and that made me want to give my all for them.”

The 6-foot-2, 180-pound wideout is expected to play on both sides of the ball during his senior campaign.

MORE CHCA COVERAGE
--Rivals Profile: Austin Jones
--Interview: Austin Jones
--Intervirew: Eric Taylor
--Podcast: Miami Valley

“We certainly have to be creative,” head coach Eric Taylor said of his top returning weapon. “Any time you have a player like Austin you have to put him into position to make plays.

Taylor pegged Jones a DI prospect from the start and with his sub-4.5-second speed in the 40-yard dash and his lanky size there’s little doubt he’ll play at the next level.

To this point only Toledo has offered, but several more are interested including Cincinnati, Indiana, Virginia Tech and nearly all of the MAC schools.

“I’m just excited that the recruiting process has gone so well for me so far,” Jones stated. “I didn’t think last year before the season that I would do this well and I’m just happy to get this opportunity now.”

He plans on attending camps at Cincinnati, Ohio State and Virginia Tech this summer.

“I am pretty open to play anywhere,” Jones claimed. “It’s just I want to know which school is going to be the best fit for me.”

Jones continues to work on improving his footwork and is looking forward to settling in with a new quarterback, a job that is still up for grabs for CHCA. It will be the team’s third new starter in three years.

“Whoever the quarterback is going to be we are going to practice every day so hopefully we’ll carry it on to the field next season,” Jones said.

FINAL TAKE: Jones exploded during his junior campaign and matching those numbers will take a solid effort with a new passer under center for the Eagles. However, college recruiters have taken notice and with continued improvement his offers are likely to soar. Finishing as one of the Tri-state’s top wideouts again this season and playing football on Saturdays next fall is definitely within reach.

Dan Clasgens is a co-founder of TSF and serves as the President/Director of Media & Content for our parent company, GetSports Enterprises LLC. In addition to nearly a decade of experience in covering local high school football, Dan is a widely recognized as a fantasy football guru. He is both a local and national radio personality, including hosting a weekly show on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio. If you are interested in covering your team, please CONTACT US.