Zack Jones To UVa

Oscar Smith (Chesapeake, VA) wide receiver/defensive back Zack Jones has verbally committed to the University of Virginia, VirginiaPreps.com reported this morning. The 5’11”, 190-pound Jones, younger brother of UVa rising senior running back Perry Jones , gives Virginia its fifth commitment in the class of 2013.

Oscar Smith captured the Group AAA Division 6 state title this past season. Jones was a major factor, finishing the year with 49 catches for 993 yards and 16 touchdowns. The first-team all-Tidewater selection came through in a big way in the state semifinal win over Battlefield, accounting for 228 total yards including touchdown receptions of 95 and 74 yards.

Jones had 100 yards receiving and one score in the state title win over Centreville.

“He has all the tools to be the best ever to come out of here,” Morgan said of Jones in an earlier interview with TheSabre.com. “His speed, hands, the way he runs routes…he does everything very, very well. He’s still raw, so he’s still developing. He’s like [former Oscar Smith star and current UVa rising red-shirt junior receiver] Tim Smith , but if you talk to Tim he’ll tell you Zack is better than he was. I’ve had players go to the SEC, ACC… Zack could be the best of them all. Now, he’s not the biggest like (current Arkansas receiver) Quinta Funderburk e. And he’s almost as fast as Tim. Maybe just as fast. As long as he stays focused and keeps his grades up, he should have a lot of options.”

Jones chose Virginia over an offer from Illinois. In addition to being the fifth high school junior to commit to the Cavaliers, he is also the second wide receiver prospect in UVa’s 2013 class, joining Good Counsel (Olney, MD) standout Andre Levrone. Good Counsel quarterback Brendan “Whitey” Marshall, Salisbury (CT) offensive tackle Sadiq Olanrewaju and Varina (VA) defensive back Tim Harris make up the rest of the class.

Stay tuned for more on Jones’ decision.

(Check out Jones’ junior highlights below. He is no. 3)