The Michigan Wolverines are already seen, at least by some, as the favorite to secure the services of four-star 2016 linebacker Jonathan Jones. Today, Jim Harbaugh and company were included in an "official" top-5 list released by Jones directly.
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TOP 5: UMICH DUKE NOTRE DAME STANFORD UCF |Straight Outta _______| ?"?: @Claywill3_ pic.twitter.com/kvSoaPgTGo
— J.Jones (@KingCaarlos) August 9, 2015
Jones, who stands 6-foot-2 and 225 pounds, is rated as a four-star prospect by 247Sports as the number 21 overall outside linebacker nationally, and Michigan defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin has been hot on his trail throughout the process. Jones is scheduled to be in Ann Arbor over the weekend of the Ohio State game in late November, and that could be the final nail in the coffin for other programs in pursuit of the linebacker from Oak Ridge High School in Orlando.
Notre Dame, Duke and Stanford appear to form the greatest resistance to Michigan for his services, with the local appeal of UCF likely trailing behind. Still, Jones would be a great addition for the Wolverines on the outside, and Harbaugh's crew has certainly emphasized an improvement in talent at that particular position since arriving on campus.
It doesn't come as a surprise to see Michigan featured as one of the leaders for Jonathan Jones, but official confirmation is always encouraging, and the Wolverines will look to close the deal in the near future.