Arthur Jones IV, a four-star front defender out of Syracuse (N.Y) Christian Brothers Academy, emerged as a priority target for Nebraska edge rushers coach Roy Manning over the summer. After months of communication over the phone, the 6-foot-3, 240-pound pass rusher was finally able to connect with Manning in person on Saturday.
“It was great being able to finally put a face to the name,” he said. “Just really meeting who they are and speaking to them face-to-face, building that connection.”
Jones made his way to Lincoln for the very first time to see Nebraska improve to 5-0 for the first time in a decade following a 48-23 win over Maryland. His first experience in Memorial Stadium didn’t disappoint.
“It’s completely mind-blowing, being able to see a full stadium packed,” he said. “Seeing the balloons fly, the whole environment, just one of one.”
Jones added significant mass to his frame this offseason and schools can see him playing all over the defensive line. Within Rob Aurich’s 4-2-5 scheme though, Jones is seen purely as an edge rusher. The four-star can see a lot of himself in Anthony Jones Jr., who he had the chance to meet while in town.
“They’re explosive, seeing them explode off the ball and being able to meet them,” he responded, of what caught his attention from the defensive front. “[Anthony] Jones Jr., being able to meet him and being able to see myself [in him] and the development he’s gone through.”
Jones spent a lot of time around Roy Manning and got a good feel for the first-year assistant’s ability to develop talent and put his room in positions to have success.
“He’s a defensive mastermind,” he said. “That pick by #93 [Kade Pietrzak], that’s just well called and well played out, he’s an amazing coach.”
Getting into Lincoln for the first time, the size of the city of Lincoln and Nebraska’s campus, caught the four-star off-guard.
“I didn’t think Nebraska was going to be that big,” he said. “I didn’t think the facility would be that big. When you think of Nebraska, you think of fields.”
Coming out of his first visit, Jones is “for sure” planning to return and knows what he’ll be looking for the next time he’s in Lincoln.
“I’m for sure coming in the spring. Want see [more] of what the environment is like and seeing what the day in the life of what my future could be
Playoffs are right around the corner for Jones and his Christian Brothers Academy teammates, meaning his weekend visit to Nebraska might be the last he makes this season. He’s a Syracuse legacy and the son of former NFL defensive lineman Arthur Jones, and the nephew of former NFL all-pro defensive end Chandler Jones and former mixed martial artist Jon Jones. The Huskers are battling the likes of Syracuse, Virginia Tech, Penn State, Ole Miss Oregon and Miami for the four-star. His process remains open, but Nebraska has moved the needle for the four-star.
“It’s still open but Nebraska is definitely high on the list,” he said.
