Top safety from Monroe chooses Alabama over LSU
MONROE – To say Neville defensive back Laurence "Hootie" Jones kept his college choice to himself would be an unders...
Top safety from Monroe chooses Alabama over LSU MONROE – To say Neville defensive back Laurence "Hootie" Jones kept his college choice to himself would be an unders... Check out this story on theadvertiser.com: http://usat.ly/1cNTPDT
Louisiana Gannett; Published 11:50 a.m. CT Dec. 2, 2013 | Updated 1:46 p.m. CT Dec. 2, 2013
Neville High defensive back Laurence "Hootie" Jones (7) ended months of recruiting speculation Monday when he announced his commitment to play college football at the University of Alabama over LSU. Jones is rated a four-star prospect and one of the top-50 players in America by Rivals.com(Photo: Emerald McIntyre/Gannett Louisiana)
MONROE – To say Neville defensive back Laurence "Hootie" Jones kept his college choice to himself would be an understatement.
Despite reports to the contrary, Jones himself didn't even know where he'd attend school until 20 minutes before he made his announcement on Monday. But when he sat at the podium in the Neville High School auditorium next to his mother, Jessica Carr, it was the Crimson Tide that won out.
After talking to head coach Nick Saban on Sunday night and again Monday morning, Jones cemented his decision and chose the University of Alabama over the home state LSU Tigers. He said it was Alabama taking the time to answer his mother's questions and put her at ease with the recruiting process that put them ahead.
"They gave my mom the reasons I should come there more than LSU did," Jones said. "I'm not saying LSU didn't recruit me hard. I loved the recruiting process from both schools. I talked to God about it, and that just gave me the feeling that Alabama was the best place."
While Carr is glad to see the recruiting process end, she was grateful to all the Neville students and faculty that packed the auditorium to support her son.
"I appreciate everyone coming to support him. I didn't know he had this much support," Carr said.
Rated a four-star prospect and one of the top-50 players in America by Rivals.com, Jones won't be the only Monroe blue chipper suiting up for the Crimson Tide next fall. Joining Jones in Tuscaloosa are four-star wide receiver Cameron Simms of Ouachita High School and West Monroe High School left tackle Cameron Robinson, a five-star prospect and Rivals' top ranked player in Louisiana. Robinson is the No. 1 offensive tackle in the nation by Rivals.com, and Simms is the No. 35 wide receiver.
Both of "The Cams" were in attendance to support their future teammate and friend since junior high.
"He made the best decision for him, and I'm proud of him," Robinson said. "We'll all be able to go down to Tuscaloosa and stick together."
Jones is set to graduate in January and enroll at Alabama for the spring semester. He'll be making the transition from corner, where he's played the last two seasons, to safety in the Crimson Tide defensive backfield.