Cayden Jones' future is bright as four-star junior linebacker at Christ School
Christ School linebacker Cayden Jones is a fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers, just like his dad. His favorite Steeler growing up was Hall of Fame safety Troy Polamalu.
He does have curly hair and makes explosive plays like the former USC Trojan. But he says he doesn't mold his game after him -- even if it sure looked like it during the 2021 season opener vs. Corbin (Kentucky).
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He forced the first fumble on a third down, sprinting from his safety position to put his dark green helmet perfectly on the football, jarring it free from the running back.
The defense recovered the fumble and gave the offense excellent field position.
He lined up as a linebacker on the left side later in the game. This time, the play looked like a run headed in his direction but the quarterback faked the handoff, bootlegged away and completed a pass near the right sideline.
Even though he was halfway across the field, Jones didn't give up. He darted across the field and dove toward the ball carrier. He positioned his helmet on the football again, knocking it free.
It's those types of plays that make Jones the most sought-after Class of 2024 recruit in Western North Carolina. On3 ranks him as a four-star prospect, the 125th overall player nationally and the 14th best linebacker in his class. 247Sports has him No. 6 in North Carolina.
Jones currently holds 16 Power Five scholarship offers, including Notre Dame, USC and Oklahoma, according to 247Sports.
Jones received his first offer from UNC Charlotte last summer and his first Power Five offer from South Carolina shortly after. He said Gamecocks coach Shane Beamer offered him right in front of his dad, who broke into tears afterward.
"Just imagining the thought of playing at the next level, it really gets me going," Jones said. "I'm always anxious and excited to see where this road will lead me."
He doesn't know where he will take unofficial visits this fall, but plans to take a couple. He said he's thinking about visiting Tennessee and N.C. State for a game.
Coach Chad Walker said West Coast schools are starting to take more interest, too.
"There's coaches calling every single day and checking in," he said. "I think he's gonna have his choice of wherever he wants to go at the end of the day."
Walker said Jones is a great leader and everything a player could ever want in a teammate.
"Even if he wasn't this Power Five recruit and this top player in the country," Walker said, "guys like that and the way they act and the way they carry themselves on and off the field is what makes this job most enjoyable day in and day out."
However, Jones said he's not focused on his recruitment currently even with his stock ascending.
"I'm more focused on winning a state championship with my team," Jones said.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Cayden Jones piling up Power Five offers as four-star linebacker
