Cornelius Jones Fluff
From the local paper down here:
Spartanburg quarterback has overcome his past:
Jones was a long way from football three years ago
Spartanburg quarterback Conelius Jones sprinted onto the sidelines a few minutes after the Vikings had already begun their 7-on-7 game against Olive Branch (Miss.) during the Palmetto State Showdown on Thursday.
But, his head coach, Freddie Brown was not upset about his senior’s tardiness.
“(Conelius) is taking a college Spanish course, so we’ve got to allow him to get his education,” Brown said. “He goes to school from 9 to 2 o’clock, and football is clearly second.”
Taking college preparatory classes and playing high school football was the farthest thing from Jones’ mind three years ago, though.
The 6-foot-2, 185-pound Michigan commitment says in those days that he was headed down a road to nowhere.
“I just was surrounded by a bunch of negative things. I was getting in trouble,” Jones said. “I never saw myself being around any of this (now).”
http://www.goupstate.com/article/20090709/NEWS/907099925/0/ARTICLES
More after link.
It may be fluff, but it's fluff about a guy we don't know much about. Seems like he'll be an easy kid to root for.
Wow, he seems like a great kid. I remember when UM started recruiting this guy (in his sophomore year) and we were the only ones at that time. There was a lot of angst about recruiting a kid with some disciplinary issues, even though they were when he was young (Honestly, I was worried as well).
This situation, however, should remind us that kids sometimes need a chance to do the right things with their lives, and sometimes athletics are the vehicle they need to turn things around. I find this inspiring, and am inspired that RR and staff saw the potential in Jones and pursued him. Great job Rich Rod!
or PacMan?
at the end of the day, has bailed out a lot of kids with nothing going for them. I love that it can be an "out" and I love that we can root for underdogs all the time. And I love that our coaches are doing the same.
I didn't realize he played 7 on 7. Nice piece, thanks for posting.
He plays regular football. I have to assume this was a recent article and they are playing 7 on 7 passing games. I think it is getting prety popular for the high school kids to get some guys together and participate in these 7 on 7 tournaments around the country, I think they are flag.
Gotcha
7 on 7 is a summer camp that virtually all high schools set up. You take the big uglies off the field and go from there. His high school team does not play 7 on 7 during the regular season
Correct. Spartanburg High is playing in a pretty substantial 7 on 7 tournament this weekend.
Note that the article consistently refers to him as Conelius (as opposed to CoRnelius). I wonder if that's a mistake.
Concerning the previous post: I think the 7 on 7 is only for skill players and not the regular season.
This kid seems to have a lot of potential. Very athletic, good size, good attitude, intelligent and a strong arm (per Austin White). Everybody feels Gardner will be special...maybe this kid will give him some stiff competition. The added depth at QB will be great.
I used it to get to nowhereville. I'm a lucky one who can say, "but by the grace of god there go I", and it makes me happy for Cornelius that he appears to have left that behind. Look forward to having you in Ann Arbor young man.
+1! I am familiar with the road also.....it's a long and bumpy ride!
Thanks for posting. I am getting more and more excited about this kid the more I learn about him. With a couple years of coaching and learning the system I think he will be a good player, and one we can rely on if other recruits do not pan out.
When I was in my teens I found myself in the same prediciment, only I was the one leading others down the "garden path". It took a surprise pregnancy of a former gf at age 19 for me to turn my life around. I don't know what happened in his life that gave him the incentive to get his life back on track but I know how hard it can be, so well done Cornelius, I look forward to cheering you on once you get to UM.
im curious what he did to get in to trouble...but it doesnt really matter now since he seems to have it turned around... the GPA is very good.
I happened to just come across this article today myself here in our local paper. We just moved to Spartanburg and Spartanburg High (Jones's high school) is our district. I was already looking forward to watching him play this fall because he's going to Michigan, but this article makes that interest even more compelling.
Mr. Beeks, that's pretty cool. I student taught at Byrnes while living in Dorman's district. Where did you move from?
u should consider taping his games and posting them here on mgoblog. Or at least give us the stats from his games :). that would be really cool.