Four-star safety Chad Jones (6-3, 232, 4.5), from Baton Rouge Southern University Lab (La.), says LSU and USC lead heavily over Florida, Florida State and Miami. All have offered.
"I’ve already figured out which school I’ll attend," said Scout.com's No. 10 ranked safety. "I’m just not saying anything until I’ve gone to my official visits.
“My older brother Rahim Alem (defensive end) plays for the Tigers. He thinks I’ll like LSU and would love for me to go there. But, he also wants me to go where I’ll be most happy. I’ve learned all about LSU football and academic programs through my brother. I have visited the campus on my own and have gone to many of their games. I feel pretty confident that I know a great deal about LSU.
"I’ll be visiting USC on December 15," he said. "I’ll be going with a friend of mine, Joe McKnight (Scout.com's No. 4 ranked running back), who is also being recruited (very hard) by the Trojans. I love getting away and learning about new places. I don’t get homesick and I want to attend a school that is in a big city. I couldn’t stand being in the middle of nowhere. I think I’d love living in California. USC is recruiting me the hardest. Coach Ken Norton (linebackers) says he can’t wait for me to visit.
"I don’t know very much about Florida and Florida State. I watch them play and like their defense. I like their style. I’m pretty much focusing on LSU and USC. My team (10-3) is in the Division 1 playoffs and I don’t want to take on more than I can handle right now. I need to stay focused on my games.
“I visited Miami with my brother when I was in grade 10. He was being recruited by the Hurricanes. Last year Miami would have been my No. 1 choice. Since then, I have learned a lot about LSU and USC. I still like Miami, but I probably won’t go there.
“I play baseball too (right field and pitcher) and all the schools that have made offers for football have also made offers for baseball. I had to pick one or the other. I choose football because the offers pay 100% of school. Baseball doesn’t have the same type of funding. I would have to pay out-of-state fees and pay for books. Who knows what else? Players get more with a football offer,” Jones reiterated.
Partial senior season (10-3) stats: 8 interceptions/12 TDs/9 tackles
Jones reports a 2.5 core GPA and a 24 ACT.