Kentucky QB making his own way

Every recruiting class has a prospect that fans seem to root for to receive an offer about this time of year. Each time it seems like there are different reasons for the fan support, but more times than not it is a home state star that just does not quite have the measurables that some coaches are looking for.

This year is a little different, though, as the people's choice is a dual-threat quarterback from Kentucky named Robert Jones. After taking matters into his own hands and reaching out to the Tiger coaches, Jones now finds himself on the Tigers' radar.

"Me and Coach [Josh] Henson, we talked about four times on the phone," Jones explained. "We talked last week. We've pretty much been talking this whole month of May. We've talked each week. He wasn't familiar with me the first time I called so I sent them my film. He said he liked [my film] and that he would show it to Coach [Andy] Hill. Coach Hill and Henson are going to watch the film together and evaluate it then hopefully I'll get an offer."

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In addition to the contact Jones has had with the coaches himself, he's getting some help from a few current Tiger commits.

"Paul Adams, Thomas Richard, and Kevin Pendleton have been talking with Coach Henson and Coach Hill about me. They are trying to help me get an offer," he said.

Along with Mizzou, Jones is hearing from Western Kentucky, Louisville, Kentucky, Cincinnati, Marshall, UCF, Florida International, Arkansas, and Mississippi St. Three schools on that list are already standing out.

"I think the other schools closest to offering are Louisville, Kentucky, and Western Kentucky," he stated. "Kentucky sees me as a WR/DB so they are looking at offering me as an athlete. I'll be up there this Saturday. Coach Nick Brown, the new offensive coordinator, said if I do well I'll get an offer as an athlete. Coach Petrino, from WKU, likes me, but wants to see me throw live. I'll be going down there Sunday."

When Jones starts to think about what he's looking for in a school he has some pretty strong ideas.

"Location has a big part in it and also academics," explained Jones. "Football wise, I'm looking at what conference schools are in, what kind of offense they run, how I fit in that offense, and do I fit in with the players. Also, how the coaches treat the players and treat each other. Last thing is how many players they put in the league."

A time frame for Jones' decision is based largely off of when he receives the offers he is looking for. When the offers come, though, Jones has a plan on how he wants his commitment to happen.

"I graduate early so if I get offers this summer I want to try and commit before the season. I want to commit around the first game at school. Once I commit I'm going to stay committed 100%. I'm going to stay loyal to the school I choose," he said.

What type of player will a school be getting when Jones does eventually commit?

"Last season I was 50-50 running and passing," he said. "This season I feel like, just because I have a lot of experience from my first season last year, I can pass the ball better than I run. I've been working with a lot of coaches on staying in the pocket and checking off on my receivers. If I have to run to get some extra yards then I can get it done with my legs too."