Alabama Crimson Tide offers 4-star DL Carlon Jones
Bay City (Texas) four-star defensive lineman Carlon Jones backed off his commitment to Nebraska on Nov. 28, almost five months after he pledged to Matt Rhule and Co.
Soon after, Ohio State began picking up steam in Jones’ recruitment. The Buckeyes offered the 6-foot-2.5, 270-pounder during the fall and now have an official visit scheduled for this weekend. He’s also set to take an OV to USC this month.
With Jones’ recruitment once again taking shape, Alabama has opted to get in the mix. Jones announced an offer from the Crimson Tide on Wednesday:
With National Signing Day just two weeks away, the Tide are the latest high-profile program to try and add the blue-chip lineman to their pledge list. Bama’s 2024 class currently features a pair of DL commits in Birmingham (Ala.) Parker four-star Jeremiah Beaman and Phenix City (Ala.) Central three-star Isaia Faga.
Jones is the No. 364 overall prospect and No. 35 DL in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. On3 ranks Jones higher than other recruiting services, as he checks in as the No. 193 recruit and No. 17 DL in the On300.
Ohio State trending for Jones
According to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM), Ohio State is the favorite to land Jones’ pledge. Three different recruiting insiders have logged selections in favor of the Buckeyes since Jones backed off his pledge to the Cornhuskers.
“In talking to sources close to Jones’ recruitment, no team has come on stronger this fall than the Buckeyes,” On3’s Sam Spiegelman wrote following his decommitment from Nebraska. “Jones has locked in an official visit to Columbus for December 8-10 weekend, On3 has learned. It is his first trip up to campus and represents a massive opportunity for (Larry) Johnson with a priority target along the defensive line.”
Ohio State recently lost the commitment of Chicago St. Ignatius five-star Justin Scott, leaving only one listed DL in its 2024 class — Stafford (Va.) Mountain View three-star Eric Mensah. Buford (Ga.) five-star Eddrick Houston is also the lone EDGE on the Buckeyes’ pledge list. Adding Jones will be a top priority for Ryan Day and OSU down the stretch.
Jones does not currently have an On3 NIL Valuation. The On3 NIL Valuation is the industry’s leading index that sets high school and college athletes’ projected annual value (PAV). The NIL valuation does not act as a tracker of the value of NIL deals an athlete has completed to date. It rather signifies an athlete’s value at a certain moment in time.