Defensive back Elijah Jones of Upland High School, located in Southern California’s San Gabriel Mountains, signed with the U.S. Naval Academy on Wednesday. Look inside for a photo and quotes from Jones.
Defensive back Elijah Jones of Upland High School, located in Southern California’s San Gabriel Mountains, signed with the U.S. Naval Academy on Wednesday. Look inside for a photo and quotes from Jones.
The 5-foot-11, 185-pound cornerback verbally committed to Navy’s Steve Johns on Saturday, December 20th when he went to a practice facility in San Diego to watch the Midshipmen prepare for their bowl game with San Diego State.
“It was on the official visit that I felt the brotherhood at Navy. It’s something special I felt like I wanted to be a part of. Campus is amazing. I enjoyed walking around with my father seeing everything. Serving my country was definitely something that factored into my decision as well. I’ve been pretty interested in doing it, but I just wasn’t sure where. I hold the service men and women who have done it before me in high regard. Plus, I like that it’s going to guarantee me a job coming out of college.”
In his senior season at Upland, Jones had 67 tackles, two interceptions, nine pass breakups, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. He was named First Team All-Baseline League and First Team Academic All-League.
“Navy has said they like how I come up in run support and my aggressiveness in man-coverage.”
Jones is a three-year starter at Upland High School selected Navy over offers from Air Force, Dartmouth, Harvard, Hawaii, Montana, Nevada, Pennsylvania, San Diego State, San Jose State, Yale. The son of Terri and James Jones, Elijah has a younger sister, Jacqueline. He will be going to the USNA direct.
