Donovahn Jones, a quarterback from Dutchtown High School in Hampton, Georgia — about 30 miles south of Atlanta — decided to pass on the Georgia Bulldogs and committed to Missouri, the new team to the SEC.
In fact, UGA was not even among Jones’ final choices. He picked Mizzou over Arkansas, Kentucky, Cincinnati, Minnesota and South Florida. At 6-foot-3, 190 pounds, he will switch to wide receiver in college.
“I just fell in love with Missouri when I visited back in July. I really loved the campus and the stability of the program,” Jones said. “The fact that Missouri plays in the SEC was also very important in my decision.
”I know we had a tough lost against Georgia, but the atmosphere at Memorial Stadium was electric. I knew as I was watching the game with my family that Missouri was where I wanted to call home for the next four years.”
Said Dutchtown assistant coach Terry Herrod: “Donovahn told me in the 9th grade that he wanted to be the first football player at Dutchtown High School to sign a SEC scholarship and I am so proud that he has worked to accomplish that goal. It is so hard to earn the opportunity to play college football at an SEC school. It is a testament to Donovahn, his parents, and the entire Dutchtown community”.
Jones is a bona fide top flight athlete with limitless potential. “You are talking about a kid that is 6-3, 190 pounds who runs a legit 4.49 with a 39 inch vertical. Moreover, he is a great high-character kid, very humble.” Herrod said.
Missouri coach Gary Pinkely told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that Georgia was fertile recruiting ground. Missouri has assigned at least two coaches to scour the state for talent, and has offered football scholarships to 20 Georgia seniors, according to Rivals.
“We’ve done a complete analysis of players that sign with BCS schools out of Georgia, and certainly out of the Atlanta area,” Pinkel said. “The size and production of SEC and BCS is parallel to the Metroplex area in Dallas. The numbers out of Atlanta and Dallas are nearly identical. Both have great high school football.
“What you do is go down there and figure out how many players from Georgia stay in the SEC and stay in the ACC, and how many leave the state and go elsewhere to play. We’ve got data on these kinds of things. And, if anything, it’s about identifying good players and selling Missouri.”
