New Michigan Man: DE/OLB Reuben Jones

Posted onAuthorGarrett Fishaw

Michigan\’s new defense under defensive coordinator DJ Durkin will be a pass rushing, turnover based defense and finding players that could fit the scheme were a point of emphasis on the recruiting trail. Well, the hard work has paid off as Michigan has landed the commitment of DE/OLB Reuben Jones out of Lakeland, FL (Lake Gibson).

Truly Blessed to Announce I am Officially Committed to The University of Michigan ⛄❄⛄❄ #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/MTcX3qYSfw

— February 10th (@ImDatDude44) January 24, 2015

Jones is an aggressive, relentless pass rusher that can play with his hand in the dirt in the 4-3 or as a stand up, rush linebacker in the 3-4, and it\’s exactly what the defense needs. Michigan ranked 49th in the country in sacks in 2014, and that is not good enough. The addition of a pass rush specialist, like Jones, gives Durkin and Mattison a much needed weapon on passing downs to rack up sacks or cause turnovers.

As for his recruitment, Jones committed to Nebraska in mid-November but thanks to the coaching change in Lincoln and Ann Arbor, he decided to open things up two weeks before National Signing Day and the day before his official visit to Michigan. And thanks to a great visit, he quickly ended his recruitment and chose the B1G East over the B1G West and became Harbaugh\’s first Wolverine commitment.

Height: 6\’3.5\’\’

Weight: 233lbs

Notable Offers: Nebraska, Michigan State, Louisville, Iowa, Missouri

Rankings: Scout (3*, #145 DE) – Rivals (3*, #27 SSDE) – 247 Sports (3*, #44 SSDE) – ESPN (3*, #58 DE)

Highlights

As for the Rest of the Class: Jones is the 7th commitment of the class that could possibly get up to 17. So, with 8-10 spots remaining, things are about to heat up on the trail. Harbaugh will likely pick up several other commitments from this weekend\’s official visit, including Zach Gentry, Reagan Williams and Jake Pickard. Other names to watch out for include Damon Arnette, Nolan Ulizio and Jarius Adams (who visits next weekend).

Garrett Fishaw
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