Division II-A Mr. Football semifinalist Ashton Jones transfers from DCA to Oakland
Leaving Donelson Christian Academy was a tough decision for junior running back Ashton Jones.
After all, his father Jody led the Wildcats to the 1988 state title before going on to star at Vanderbilt as a safety. His brothers both went to DCA, and he led the team to the DII-A 2021 state championship.
But he is equally as excited about playing his senior season at three-time defending 6A champion Oakland.
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Jones enrolled at Oakland on Wednesday. He said his father, who is a dentist, is opening a practice in Murfreesboro.
"It was never a problem with DCA ... I'm a lifer and have been there since I was 2," Ashton Jones said. "My dad and brothers all graduated from there. At the same time, I had to make a decision to further my career. It's a better opportunity. The No. 1 thing on my recruiting chart that was getting questions is level of competition.
"It's a great opportunity to prove I can do it (at the 6A level). I know I can."
The 5-foot-10, 190-pound Jones has no rating or offers listed on 247Sports. Jones said his lone offer is UAB, now coached by former Lipscomb Academy coach Trent Dilfer.
The lack of college attention comes despite rushing for 1,862 yards and 24 touchdowns last season for DCA, a year after he led the Wildcats to the DII-A state title, rushing for 132 yards and two TDs in that game.
Jones was a TSSAA Tennessee Titans Mr. Football semifinalist in 2022.
"After one day, I can tell that he's had a great strength program he's been part of, and is real familiar with the weight room," Oakland coach Kevin Creasy said. "He looks like a kid that can contribute and have a good senior year here."
Jones is the second DII-A star to recently transfer to a Murfreesboro 6A program. Former Friendship Christian wide receiver Brock Montgomery transferred to Riverdale in early January.
"I'm here to be competitive and win," Jones said. "There's obviously a winning atmosphere (at Oakland). They have three championships in a row. That's a culture I want to be part of. I love the fact that I'll go compete and get better every day. They've had some great backs (recently), with Jordan James and Eric Taylor. I'm ready to fill some big shoes."
Oakland is coming off its third consecutive 6A state title, defeating Beech 42-6 in the BlueCross Bowl in December.
This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: Oakland football: Ashton Jones, a star RB, transfers from DCA
