Bearcats' Jones changes mind, joins brother at Minnesota
Thursday, December 23, 2004
SHAWN HATEM
ThisWeek Staff Writer
It didn't take long for the trickle-down effect to reach Columbus following the departure of head football coach Walt Harris from the University of Pittsburgh.
Dominic Jones, Brookhaven High School's 5-foot-9, 185-pound senior defensive back who committed to the Panthers at the beginning of last summer before leading the Bearcats to the Division II state championship, opted to join his half-brother Keith Massey as both committed to Minnesota following a visit there Dec. 10-12.
On Dec. 12, Harris officially accepted the head coaching job at Stanford.
"Throughout the recruiting process, Minnesota happened to be one of the schools that I really liked, Jones said. "I always had respect for them, because they were one of the first schools to ever offer me. After talking to (Minnesota coach Glen Mason) on the phone and then having a chance to see everything, I decided to commit there. And having my brother commit there too -- that was great."
Alex Daniels, an all-Ohio linebacker at Brookhaven, joined Jones and Massey on the trip to Minnesota and is expected to make a college choice in the coming days.
Jones was the first Pittsburgh signee to rescind his commitment following Harris' departure. Harris guided the Panthers to an 8-3 record and a BCS Bowl bid.
"When he had the visit (to Pittsburgh) in June, he saw the facility and met some of the players and was impressed by all that," Brookhaven coach Tom Blake said. "But the clincher was Walt Harris. Dominic really liked him and respected him. With Walt going to Stanford, D.J. kept his eyes open and decided to go somewhere else.
"(Jones) took a visit to Minnesota and liked Coach Mason and Mitch Browning (offensive coordinator/recruiter) and there was the opportunity for both he and his brother to play at the same school. You still have the city atmosphere, and I respect Glen and Mitch and they'll take care of the kids. I'm happy for the kids wherever they decide to go. If they're happy, I'm happy. I'm excited for them to get the opportunity to play Division I football at a good program."
Jones and Massey will join other former Columbus-area players and current Golden Gophers Ernie Wheelwright (Fr., 6-5, 210, WR) and Gary Russell (Fr., 5-11, 195, RB) from Walnut Ridge, Trumaine Banks (Soph., 5-10, 185, CB) and Justin Valentine (Fr., 6-2, 215, FB) from Eastmoor Academy, Mike Maciejowski (Fr., 6-3, 210, QB) from Upper Arlington and Quentin White (Jr., 6-0, 200, SS) from Gahanna.
Wheelwright was named to The Sporting News Freshman All-American Team (third team) and the Big Ten All-Freshman Team. He started nine of 11 games and had 30 receptions with freshman school-records of 654 yards and seven touchdowns. His 21.8 yards per reception was tops in the Big Ten.
"They made us feel so comfortable and so welcome. A lot of times, when players hear there's a top recruit coming in, they kind of stay away because they're afraid you might be coming in to take their position," said Jones, a two-time all-Ohio defensive back. "But each corner I did meet, they were so supportive. They were like 'This is what you need to do and this is how it is.' A couple of their players -- Ernie Wheelwright and Gary Russell -- we grew up in the same 'hood. And Valentine and Banks, we're all real cool.
"Coach Mason thinks I have a good chance to come in and play as a freshman. I'll be going there in June, and most freshmen usually show up in August, so I'll be able to get everything down. And I got my No. 2 (jersey) when I get there, so that's good."