I had a chance to sit down and talk with four-star defensive back Jaylyn Jones' mother after he decided to shut down his recruitment and fully lock in on the Miami Hurricanes.
Jones is a 5-foot-11, 182-pound safety out of Hollywood, Florida, where he plays high school football for McArthur. He is currently ranked as the nation's No. 321 player overall, No. 28 safety, and No. 26 player out of the Sunshine State. This past season, Jones led the Mustangs to an 10-3 record and 2-1 in district play. He recorded a total of 27 tackles, two interceptions, and 1.0 tackles for loss.
During the month of June, he decided to commit and play for Miami. He picked the Hurricanes over offers from Florida State, Texas A&M, and Missouri among other schools.
Check out everything Tasha Jones said about her son committing to Miami and the love from the Hurricanes coaches:
What was your reaction when he decided to shut down his recruitment and fully commit to Miami?
I was honestly excited, but more than anything I felt at peace. As a parent, you want your child to make a decision they're confident in, and once Jaylyn made up his mind, you could see the weight lift off his shoulders lol
What made Miami stand out to your family throughout the recruiting process?
Miami always felt genuine. They believed in my son from the beginning and never made us feel like he was just another recruit. We loved the culture they are building, the standard they hold their players to. Also how they made it clear they were investing in him as a young man, not just as a recruit/player.
How important were the relationships your family built with Mario Cristobal and the coaching staff?
The relationships meant everything and was a HUGE factor. Trust is big when you're sending your child away to college. Coach Cristobal and the entire staff were consistent, honest, and transparent throughout this process. Coach Will made us feel like family, and that gave Jay a lot of confidence in his decision.
Was there a specific moment when you knew Miami was the right place for him?
There wasn't just one big moment, it was a lot of little moments that kept confirming we were making the right choice. Although Coach Zac left, he was awesome when we started building relationship. But every visit, every conversation, and every interaction felt authentic. Miami didn't just feel like a good option, it felt like home.
What should Miami fans know about Jaylyn off the field?
He's humble, respectful, and he's always willing to put in the work. Football is something he loves, but it doesn't define who he is. He's the type of young man who stays out of trouble and is constantly looking for ways to get better. His character is everything and he knows, it’ll take him far.
What excites you most about his future as a Hurricane?
I'm ready to be a CANES MAMA LOL!!!!! I'm excited to watch him grow, not just as a player, but as a man. I believe Miami is the perfect place to challenge him, develop him and prepare him for whatever comes next. As his mom, seeing him live out a dream he's worked so hard for will be something I'll never take for granted. I can't wait to watch him represent The U with pride!!!!!!!!!! Miami is HOME.
Jones is a 5-foot-11, 182-pound safety out of Hollywood, Florida, where he plays high school football for McArthur. He is currently ranked as the nation's No. 321 player overall, No. 28 safety, and No. 26 player out of the Sunshine State. This past season, Jones led the Mustangs to an 10-3 record and 2-1 in district play. He recorded a total of 27 tackles, two interceptions, and 1.0 tackles for loss.
During the month of June, he decided to commit and play for Miami. He picked the Hurricanes over offers from Florida State, Texas A&M, and Missouri among other schools.
Check out everything Tasha Jones said about her son committing to Miami and the love from the Hurricanes coaches:
What was your reaction when he decided to shut down his recruitment and fully commit to Miami?
I was honestly excited, but more than anything I felt at peace. As a parent, you want your child to make a decision they're confident in, and once Jaylyn made up his mind, you could see the weight lift off his shoulders lol
What made Miami stand out to your family throughout the recruiting process?
Miami always felt genuine. They believed in my son from the beginning and never made us feel like he was just another recruit. We loved the culture they are building, the standard they hold their players to. Also how they made it clear they were investing in him as a young man, not just as a recruit/player.
How important were the relationships your family built with Mario Cristobal and the coaching staff?
The relationships meant everything and was a HUGE factor. Trust is big when you're sending your child away to college. Coach Cristobal and the entire staff were consistent, honest, and transparent throughout this process. Coach Will made us feel like family, and that gave Jay a lot of confidence in his decision.
Was there a specific moment when you knew Miami was the right place for him?
There wasn't just one big moment, it was a lot of little moments that kept confirming we were making the right choice. Although Coach Zac left, he was awesome when we started building relationship. But every visit, every conversation, and every interaction felt authentic. Miami didn't just feel like a good option, it felt like home.
What should Miami fans know about Jaylyn off the field?
He's humble, respectful, and he's always willing to put in the work. Football is something he loves, but it doesn't define who he is. He's the type of young man who stays out of trouble and is constantly looking for ways to get better. His character is everything and he knows, it’ll take him far.
What excites you most about his future as a Hurricane?
I'm ready to be a CANES MAMA LOL!!!!! I'm excited to watch him grow, not just as a player, but as a man. I believe Miami is the perfect place to challenge him, develop him and prepare him for whatever comes next. As his mom, seeing him live out a dream he's worked so hard for will be something I'll never take for granted. I can't wait to watch him represent The U with pride!!!!!!!!!! Miami is HOME.
