Jones ready to enter next phase of his life
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ORLANDO, Fla. | University of Florida-signee Emory Jones looked disappointed and was shaking like a leaf at midfield of Camping World Stadium late Thursday night.
But the nation’s second-ranked dual-threat quarterback went out a winner on a bitter cold, blustery evening.
Despite not getting the same playing time as teammate Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Jones showed signs of potential in Team Highlight’s 23-21 victory against Team Spotlight in the 11th annual Under Armour All-American Game. He finished 1-of-3 passing for 9 yards and ran five times for 9 yards, but likely would have had better stats if not for a teammate's turnover and a dropped pass.
“I wish I could have done more,” said Jones, who competed in his last high school game. “I was disappointed I didn’t get the opportunities.”
Jones now heads to Gainesville on Saturday morning as an early enrollee. He is expected to compete with Feleipe Franks and Jake Allen for the starting job this fall.
“I just want to compete,” Jones said.
A four-star quarterback out of Heard County High School in Franklin, Ga., he said he is unsure when his first meeting with new head coach Dan Mullen will be.
Jones said he will room with fellow early UF-signees Trey Dean, a defensive back, and Dameon Pierce, a running back. Jones will major in sports management.
As for trying to recruit other UA All-Americans to UF, Jones earlier in the week said he had made his pitch to Jacob Copeland, who earlier in the season decommitted from the Gators. The duo hooked up for four touchdowns in the first two days of practice. But the pressure to try to convince other wideouts to go to Gainesville started to bother Jones.
“I don’t really talk about (recruiting) a lot,” Jones said. “It can get kind of annoying.”
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