PG Recruiting Database | PG Recruiting Rankings
CARTERSVILLE, Ga. - The University of North Carolina landed a big-name 2015 prospect early last week when Roswell, Ga. outfielder Jahmai Jones committed to become a Tar Heel.
The center fielder is ranked the No. 5 prospect in the 2015 class, the No. 2 outfielder in the class, and the No. 2 prospect in Georgia for 2015 by Perfect Game.
“When I went up to visit I kind of knew that was the place I was gonna go. There was just something different about North Carolina when I stepped on campus,” Jones said about choosing North Carolina. “I really like the coaches there and I enjoyed their facilities as well.”
“It was a good balance of academics and athletics and the offer that I received. I wanted to get away from home a little bit, but not too far to where my mom couldn’t come see me play,” Jones said. “So it’s the perfect distance to where I can have my freedom, but at the same time, if I needed to head back down to see my mom or anything I could make it back no problem.”
Jones narrowed his options down to UNC, Georgia Tech, Notre Dame, Vanderbilt, and Clemson before choosing the Chapel Hill, NC university.
“It was definitely a tough decision to make. My family and I sat down and talked about it and what decision benefit my family and myself,” said Jones. “It’s such a relief. It’s a weight off my shoulders. I just gotta keep going to Perfect Game events and play my game and show everybody what I can do.”
Jones was turning coaches’ heads during his freshman year, when he said he began getting interest from schools. Recruiting really picked up after his sophomore high school season.
“I understood as recruiting really started getting heavy that I had to stay calm and not get caught up in the hype and continue to play my game and stick to the things that got me to that point,” said Jones. “I have to keep working. Just because I’ve committed to go play at a top DI school doesn’t mean I’ve arrived. Everyday I’ve got to go out and continue to get better.”
Jones had recently made the switch from shortstop to center field, but says he isn’t sure yet which position he will be playing at North Carolina.
“Right now I’m playing center field and I like it a lot. It feels almost natural to be out there,” Jones said.
Jones is the highest ranked 2015 commitment North Carolina has received so far. Four 2015 prospects in the Top 100 have committed to the Tar Heels, who now have thirteen commitments ranked in the Top 500. The University of North Carolina’s 2015 recruiting class currently ranks fifth.
For access to Jahmai Jones’ player page, visit the link: Jahmai Jones Perfect Game profile