USC could stand to add a little punch to its offense next season and the Gamecocks are looking at former Nebraska receiver Miles Jones (5-8 175) as a possibility. Jones spent the past two seasons with the Cornhuskers. He redshirted in 2018 after having shoulder surgery, and this season he played in four games before deciding to transfer. The native of Miramar, FL has known Gamecock assistants Bryan McClendon and Travaris Robinson since his high school days and they remembered him after his name hit the NCAA Transfer Portal. They had Jones unofficially visit for the Appalachian State game.
“I really liked what I had to see,” Jones said. “I feel like I could go there and make an immediate impact if I wanted to. Right now I’m just talking to the coaches, nothing too major really, just letting the coaches finish out their season because they have a lot going on right now trying to play against Clemson. I’m just keeping in touch with coach (Thomas) Brown, the running backs coach.”
The Gamecocks have just three spots remaining in their 2020 class, so they’re not in position to offer Jones a scholarship at this point. That’s something he was aware of prior to his visit.
“It would be a preferred walk-on spot simply because they don’t have enough scholarship spots left, but they want me,” Jones said. “I could go there and still earn a scholarship. It doesn’t turn me off, it’s definitely something I’ll consider. Most schools don’t have scholarship spots, so a lot of places I’m looking at right now are just preferred walk-on spots anyway. FCS have a lot of scholarship spots but if I want to go Power 5 it would be a preferred walk-on most likely.”
As a high school senior, Jones led his 14-0 team coached by former NFL star defensive back Patrick Surtain in punt returns, kickoff returns and all-purpose yards (1830). He averaged over 11 yards per carry and scored 12 touchdowns, and he caught 29 passes averaging nearly 14 yards per catch. He knows he has desired talents he can take to his next program.
“A versatile guy that can play slot receiver, running back, return kicks, just a weapon they don’t really have I guess,” he said. “A person they can move around and get mismatches against the linebackers and stuff like that.”
Jones also has visited Florida State. With Willie Taggart out, he’s not sure about the interest level there at this point. But if the next coach would be interested in him, he’d love to hear from him.
“They were the childhood school for me growing up,” Jones said. “I always loved that school. I’m from Florida. That’s just the team I liked growing up, so that would be a dream come true if I went there, but I’ve kind of grown past that.”
Jones plans to visit Tennessee in two weekends. He’s also considering FCS programs Tennessee State and Florida A&M, two places he could play immediately. But, he also has an indication his waiver for immediate eligibility from the NCAA to play on the FBS level would be approved.
Jones said he wants to make his decision in early December, either after the weekend of the 6th or the 13th, depending on when he visits Tennessee State.
