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DB, 6'1, 200, 4.5
Prichard, AL
Nickname: Jones
High School: Vigor
HS Number: 2
Official Visits: Alabama, Auburn
Second Choice: Auburn
Host During Alabama Visit: Kelvin Sigler
Committed: January 25, 1998
Academic Status: Not Qualified
Stats
HS Junior Season
Passing
Rushing
HS Senior Season
Passing
Rushing
Career
Passing
Rushing
Honors
- Two-time All-County
- Two-time All-Area
- All-State
- Mobile County Dream Team
Stories
College Football or Pro Baseball?
Damien Jones has heard the question a million times.
"If I go in the first-round, then I’ll probably play pro baseball," DJ says. "But if I get drafted lower, it’ll be a difficult decision."
Money will be a major issue.
"If I go any lower than the third or fourth round, then the chances of me going to Alabama would increase. But if I go to college for three or four years, that’s money and experience that I’ve lost in pro baseball. That three or four years of experience could be enough to get me into the big leagues."
If he goes to Alabama, he’ll play football and baseball, but not necessarily both for Alabama. He might play football for Alabama and play baseball for a pro team.
Through 10 games this season, DJ is batting .460. And he has stolen 18 bases, increasing his string of consecutive stolen bases to 86. He hasn’t been caught stealing a base since his freshman year.
The MLB baseball draft is set for early June. That’s when the big question will be answered.
"18 Option"
In last season's game against Blount, Damien Jones and Marico Portis made "18 option" a famous play for Vigor.
"It’s an option play to the right," DJ says. "I came down the line and saw Marico wipe-out [Blount’s] Robert Malone. That created a hole that an 18-wheeler could’ve gone through. I cut back to the left and went 76 yards for the TD."
DJ gives Portis most of the credit for that play.
"Marico took care of me for three years. He was awesome."
The Shootout
HS football fans in Mobile will never forget last season’s playoff game between Vigor and Pelham. It was a shootout between Damien Jones and Tyler Watts.
"They pretty much dominated the first half," recalls DJ. "Tyler was everything they said he was -- unbelievable!"
With pinpoint passing Watts put Pelham ahead 21-0.
"I had to do something to pick up the team. I told my teammates at halftime that I was taking over."
And take over he did, with fury. He rushed for 228 yards and passed for 107. But it was too little, too late. Pelham held on for a 28-21 victory.
"It was a great game. Now I’m just looking forward to teaming up with Tyler."
Q&A
TI: Damien, most people thought that you would go to Auburn. Why Alabama?
DJ: I liked everything about Alabama. The football program, the baseball program, the coaches, players … everything. I especially liked Coach DuBose.
TI: What was it about DuBose?
DJ: He came into my house and talked about Alabama. He explained why Alabama would be a good place for me. He never said anything bad about the other schools recruiting me.
TI: If you choose to play at Alabama over pro baseball, what position will you play?
DJ: I think that I’ll be a two-way player. On offense I’ll play some at running back, but mostly at wide receiver. On defense I’ll play safety. And I want to return kicks, too.
TI: Tell us what you think about your teammate Marico Portis.
DJ: He’s big, strong and quick. On a lot of my runs, Marico was right out there in front of me leading the way. That’s incredible to think that a 295-pounder is that quick. He’s going to be in the NFL someday, I guarantee it.
TI: Did you have any reservations about Alabama, after the 4-7 season?
DJ: That made me want to go there. I like the idea of being a part of the group that helps them bring the program back.
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