Kentucky target De'zie Jones commits to Ohio State

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The early returns on the recruiting trail for new Kentucky wide receivers coach Daikiel Shorts Jr. have been positive. Shorts has connections in the Lonestar State from his time spent in Houston, but where the new assistant could really provide recruiting value is in the Mid-Atlantic. Some New Jersey natives at receiver have become clear top targets for the Wildcats in the 2025 recruiting.

One of those targets came off the board on Saturday night. Wayne (N.J.) DePaul Catholic junior De’zie Jones committed to Ohio State to give assistant coach Brian Hartline another quality recruiting win.

Words cant explain how blessed i am with the opportunity to become a buckeye, with a long talk with coach Hartline and the staff, im so grateful to be apart of the buckeye family 🌰💯#zone6ix @Hayesfawcett3 @brianhartline @OhioStateFB @dpfootball @CoachCamp01 pic.twitter.com/oZfuxLSSJR
— dez jones (@dezjones88) March 30, 2024

“What stands out to me is how much they develop their receivers and it proves over the years. They produce the best and I want to be next up, so learning from nice players will get me better. Also, they produce tons of DB talent, so going up against them everyday will get me better,” Jones told On3. “The culture over there is beautiful, can’t ask for better.”

“I’m super tight with the coaching staff, but I’m closest with Hartline because that’s who will put me on the field, who I put in extra work with, watch film with, everything. So I try to be as close as possible. He told me to prove him right so he has faith in me being a great player so imma do just that.”

The four-star wideout was scheduled to take an unofficial visit to Kentucky over the weekend. Instead, De’zie Jones joined Ohio State’s No. 1 overall recruiting class. On Saturday, the Wildcats offered unranked wideout Lebron Hill during his unofficial visit in Lexington.

Quintin Simmons is currently the only 2025 wide receiver prospect committed to Kentucky. Cameron Miller remains a clear top option for Kentucky, but another big target came off the board when De’Zie Jones decided to become a Buckeye.