Top247 safety Davion Jones of Cornelius (N.C.) Hough committed to South Carolina live with 247Sports on the CBS Sports College Football YouTube channel on Thursday evening. South Carolina defeated stout SEC competition, including LSU and Auburn, to land Jones.
Jones pairs with Top247 cornerback Joshua Dobson, also of Hough, to give South Carolina premier commitments in back-to-back days to start the month of July after Dobson announced his commitment to the Gamecocks Wednesday.
Here’s what else is relevant to know about Jones committing to South Carolina.
WHAT DAVION JONES SAYS ABOUT SOUTH CAROLINA
In the days leading up to Jones’ public commitment announcement, he spoke with 247Sports about his decision.
“Relationships, definitely big on relationships … that’s why I’m choosing South Carolina. They have been recruiting me the longest,” Jones said. “The development that coach Torrian Gray brings to the room. And the overall culture and how I feel about the program.
“I knew it was going to be South Carolina a couple days after my (official) visit. It was just the people, like J’Zavien Currence. Those are my guys.”
Jones and Dobson attended West Charlotte and Catawba Ridge, respectively, until this offseason, but they know each other “extremely well” having played on the same 7-on-7 team for years.
“So actually we talked about it a couple days ago,” Jones said.” And I just asked Josh about (South Carolina). It was pretty cool what we were thinking.”
Jones said Shane Beamer was pumped upon hearing the news he would be committing to the Gamecocks.
“He was screaming outside,” Jones said. “It was crazy.”
Jones said he moved up his public announcement date from July 26, but the plan has always been to silently commit in late June or early July.
“I just didn’t want (my decision) to get leaked,” he said. “I wanted to tell everybody. So I just moved it up.”
WHO ELSE WAS IN THE MIX
Jones opted for South Carolina over his other top five finalists: Auburn, LSU, Georgia and Indiana.
247Sports reported that Auburn seized momentum after hosting Jones on an official visit the weekend of June 5, but LSU overtook Auburn when it hosted him and his family on an official visit the following weekend (June 12).
Holding off any last-minute advances from South Carolina the weekend of June 19 was LSU’s final task, and that proved unsuccessful for the Tigers.
South Carolina surged in the week leading up to Jones’ announcement.
Georgia and Indiana hosted Jones on official visits in May.
WHERE DAVION JONES RANKS AS A RECRUIT
The 5-foot-11, 165-pounder carries a 247Sports four-star rating of 91. He’s the No. 148 overall prospect and No. 11 safety in the 2027 class for 247Sports.
WHAT WE THINK ABOUT DAVION JONES
247Sports director of scouting Andrew Ivins provides an in-depth report on Jones:
– Playmaking safety that could play over the top or underneath.
– Not only tested in the upper percentile spring before junior year, but captured a bronze medal in 100-meter dash at North Carolina 3A state meet as a sophomore.
– Quick to get on his horse and to the football, whether that be in zone coverage or run support.
– Spirited as an open-field tackler with his sound technique and will lower his shoulder to deliver a blow when the opportunity presents itself.
– Fluid enough to handle man-coverage responsibilities from an overhang posting and is quick to break on a pass, hence the ball production (17 PBUs and 8 INTs in 21 varsity games).
– Embraces the idea of contributing on special teams with his physicality.
– Should be viewed as a potential impact defender for a College Football Playoff contender that can fit into a variety of different schemes with his speed, tackling prowess and overall field vision.
STAY TUNED
Top247 offensive tackle Nate Carson of Columbia (S.C.) Irmo and high-three star edge-rusher Jayden Broadie of Rolesville (N.C.) will announce their commitment decisions on July 3 and July 4, respectively.
South Carolina is hoping for more fireworks.
