#75 OL, Sam Jones – Thunder Ridge High School (Highlands Ranch, CO)

Last night, Sun Devil Football picked up it’s second commitment in as many days.

It was one of ASU’s biggest recruiting weekends so far this season as they hosted a group of official visits and many more unofficial visits by national high school talent. A beautiful weekend in Tempe, the Homecoming crowd and ASU’s 53-24 defeat of the #20 Washington Huskies all played a part in showcasing the program to top prospects.

One of those players, Sam Jones, a 6-5 275 lb Offensive Lineman from Thunder Ridge High School (Highlands Ranch, CO), called Coach Graham last night to announce his commitment to ASU. Rated as the 5th best player out of Colorado, Jones fills a big need on the O-Line as key ASU starters are completing their senior season in 2013.

Jones is coveted player who received offers from programs including Oregon, Washington, Oregon State and Cal. Oregon was his early favorite and looked tough to beat until the official visit to ASU.

Jones told Chris Karpman of Rivals.com, “Arizona State is headed in a great direction. They are definitely building something special and I’m honored to be a part of it. Obviously Oregon, they have a lot of success, but when it comes down to it it’s where you want to be in the next 4-5 years.”

Recruiting Rankings for 6-5 275 lb. Sam Jones

• 247sports: 89 (3 stars)
• ESPN : 80 (4 stars)
• Rivals: 5.6 (3 stars)
• Scout: 3 stars
• Tom Lemming: 4 stars

Jones leaned toward the Ducks earlier in his recruiting, but ultimately ASU secured his commitment

Jones may already have the upper and lower body playing strength needed to dominate defenders off the ball at the BCS level. Could Jones come in and play next season as a true freshman for the Sun Devils? It’s possible with some immediate voids to fill.

“As soon as I got off the phone with coach Graham (Tuesday night) I felt like it was a huge weight off my shoulders,” Jones told Karpman. “The main reason I felt that way is because I knew that was where I needed to be. It’s just the greatest feeling in the world.”

About the seriousness of his commitment, Hod Rabino of Scout.com quoted Jones, “I feel that my commitment to the school means that you don’t take anymore visits and that you are really committed to them. I feel that the commitment goes both ways since they are not going to get a guy that they thought they couldn’t get and move me off.”

Sam Jones becomes the 17th commitment in ASU’s recruiting class of 2014. ASU’s 16th commitment came in the day before when WR Jalen Harvey, an ESPN 300 recruit from Northern CA, also pledged to the Maroon & Gold.