WATCH: Senior season highlights of new On3 5-star Demello Jones
New Georgia defensive back Demello Jones is now an On3 five-star. With the latest rankings update, Jones moves up into the coveted category, coming in at No. 21 in the nation and No. 3 at cornerback. He previously was ranked No. 58 and eighth among players at his position.
The rise in the rankings comes on the heels of an impressive senior season for Jones at Swainsboro High School. He helped the Tigers to a 12-3 record overall and an appearance in the GHSA Class 1A-Division 1 State Championship Game.
Jones did a little bit of everything. He led the team in rushing with 1,160 yards on 129 carries, scoring 10 touchdowns. He added 300 yards passing and six more scores through the air. Defensively, he was equally as impressive with 32 tackles (27 solo), five pass break ups and an interception, one that he returned to the house in the title game for a touchdown.
His performance in the state championship saw him reach the end zone four times, becoming the first player in state championship history to score touchdowns in three ways (run, reception, interception). Jones’ 96-yard pick six stands as the second longest score in GHSA finals history, and he became just the seventh player to score on both offense and defense in a single game joining a group that includes Georgia legend Garrison Hearst.
“He’s going to be a great player at the next level,” Swainsboro head coach Scott Roberts told WRDW-TV, the CBS affiliate in Augusta, about Jones. “He gave us everything he had on both sides of the ball. He made some huge plays for us. He gave us an opportunity to be in the game. Just, like I said, we didn’t do enough.”
It’s not the first time that Jones has been the do-it-all guy for Swainsboro either. As a junior, he finished first on the team in rushing (1,279 yards, 122 carries, 20 touchdowns) and receiving (384 yards, 14 receptions, seven touchdowns) while also leading the team in tackles with 44 (25 solo). Jones also played basketball and ran track & field during his time at Swainsboro, averaging 11.8 points and 6.6 rebounds per game with three double-doubles during his junior season on the hardwood.
Jones is an early enrollee at Georgia and was with the Bulldogs for bowl practice prior to the Orange Bowl. He’s part of the No. 1 ranked recruiting class that features an impressive haul in the secondary in particular with the No. 1 cornerback (Ellis Robinson IV), No. 1 safety (KJ Bolden) and four players in the On300. As a whole, Georgia’s class includes six of the top-50 players in the On300, all on the defensive side of the ball, and in total, 18 (10 defense, 8 offense).
On3 Scouting Report
Do-it-all athlete who projects as one of the top defensive back prospects in the 2024 cycle. Measured in at around 6-foot-0.5, 175 pounds with a 31-inch arm. A strong athlete in track and field, improving his sprint times, posting a 10.97 second 100 meter dash as a junior along with an impressive 6-4 foot high jump. Sees snaps all over the field on Friday nights, lining up at quarterback, running back, wide receiver and corner. Helped his team to a state title as a junior. Rushed for 1,279 yards and 20 touchdowns while averaging over 10 yards per carry. Also had 7 receiving touchdowns on just 14 catches. A smooth, natural athlete. An easy mover who is capable of pulling away once in the open field. Shows encouraging cover skills and functional athleticism when projecting as a defensive back. Plays with good instincts and toughness. Closes quickly and drives through ball carriers as a tackler. Ball skills developed from his time on offense aid as a defensive back. Could feasibly line up at any spot in the secondary. Also a good high school basketball player, averaging 11.8 points per game as a junior. Breadth of skills points to a strong foundation as a prospect and developmental upside. – Charles Power, On3 Director of Scouting
