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School, not people, lured Jones
February 2, 2006
BY MICHAEL O'BRIEN Staff Reporter Advertisement
Morgan Park quarterback Demetrius Jones, who signed his letter of intent with Notre Dame on Wednesday, didn't choose the Irish because of Charlie Weis.
It wasn't because of quarterback Brady Quinn's success, either.
Morgan Park/Notre Dame grad Corey Mays, a close friend, wasn't even a factor.
"You don't choose your college based on people,'' Jones said. "People can leave. I was considering Notre Dame when they had Coach [Ty] Willingham, and look what happened to him.''
According to Jones, Weis was "the icing on the cake.''
Jones wasn't surprised by Quinn's improvement this season: "He always had the talent, they just tightened the screws.''
Some of Jones' friends and family believe that a Catholic university isn't the right spot for a black kid from the Public League.
"I hear it all the time, from everyone,'' Jones said. "But they hated Jesus, so I won't go through anything he didn't. No one is going to be able to go to school for me or play for me, so I had to pick the place that I felt right in.''
Jones specifically recalls walking with the football team from their pregame mass to Notre Dame Stadium. It's a long-established tradition for fans to line the sidewalk for the half-mile or so distance.
"I saw a lot of schools and a lot of traditions, but never anything like that,'' Jones said. "It was incredible, having thousands of people there just to watch you walk over to your field.''
Jones and Zach Frazer, from Mechanicsburg, Pa., are the only quarterbacks in Notre Dame's 27-player recruiting class.
The nation's top-rated quarterback, Mitch Mustain of Arkansas, reportedly had his heart set on Notre Dame after decommitting from Arkansas.
But Weis, who promised Jones and Frazer that he would recruit only two quarterbacks, stayed true to his word and did not offer a scholarship to Mustain, who ultimately signed with the Razorbacks.
Recruiting analysts and various publications have speculated that Jones could be moved to another position.
"They might be underestimating me because I haven't gotten the most extensive training or had the best facilities,'' Jones said. "But if they wanted to move me, I'm sure they would have picked up Mustain.''
Weis didn't make any mention of moving Jones at his signing-day news conference.
"Everyone has [Jones] pegged as a dual-threat quarterback [who] can beat you with his arms and legs,'' Weis said. "I told him I want him to throw the ball first. He's on the same page with me. He's kind of infectious, fun to be around.''
Weis also acknowledged Jones' contribution to Notre Dame's recruiting class.
"[Jones and Frazer] went out of their way on their own to encourage other guys to be part of this class, like true leaders would do,'' Weis said.
Jones and Weis are also on the same page about his leadership role.
"It's not going to be easy at first,'' Jones said. "But nothing that good ever is. It's a lot of people's dream to go to Notre Dame, and I know I'll be fine.
"If you're a baller, you're a baller.''
February 2, 2006
BY MICHAEL O'BRIEN Staff Reporter Advertisement
Morgan Park quarterback Demetrius Jones, who signed his letter of intent with Notre Dame on Wednesday, didn't choose the Irish because of Charlie Weis.
It wasn't because of quarterback Brady Quinn's success, either.
Morgan Park/Notre Dame grad Corey Mays, a close friend, wasn't even a factor.
"You don't choose your college based on people,'' Jones said. "People can leave. I was considering Notre Dame when they had Coach [Ty] Willingham, and look what happened to him.''
According to Jones, Weis was "the icing on the cake.''
Jones wasn't surprised by Quinn's improvement this season: "He always had the talent, they just tightened the screws.''
Some of Jones' friends and family believe that a Catholic university isn't the right spot for a black kid from the Public League.
"I hear it all the time, from everyone,'' Jones said. "But they hated Jesus, so I won't go through anything he didn't. No one is going to be able to go to school for me or play for me, so I had to pick the place that I felt right in.''
Jones specifically recalls walking with the football team from their pregame mass to Notre Dame Stadium. It's a long-established tradition for fans to line the sidewalk for the half-mile or so distance.
"I saw a lot of schools and a lot of traditions, but never anything like that,'' Jones said. "It was incredible, having thousands of people there just to watch you walk over to your field.''
Jones and Zach Frazer, from Mechanicsburg, Pa., are the only quarterbacks in Notre Dame's 27-player recruiting class.
The nation's top-rated quarterback, Mitch Mustain of Arkansas, reportedly had his heart set on Notre Dame after decommitting from Arkansas.
But Weis, who promised Jones and Frazer that he would recruit only two quarterbacks, stayed true to his word and did not offer a scholarship to Mustain, who ultimately signed with the Razorbacks.
Recruiting analysts and various publications have speculated that Jones could be moved to another position.
"They might be underestimating me because I haven't gotten the most extensive training or had the best facilities,'' Jones said. "But if they wanted to move me, I'm sure they would have picked up Mustain.''
Weis didn't make any mention of moving Jones at his signing-day news conference.
"Everyone has [Jones] pegged as a dual-threat quarterback [who] can beat you with his arms and legs,'' Weis said. "I told him I want him to throw the ball first. He's on the same page with me. He's kind of infectious, fun to be around.''
Weis also acknowledged Jones' contribution to Notre Dame's recruiting class.
"[Jones and Frazer] went out of their way on their own to encourage other guys to be part of this class, like true leaders would do,'' Weis said.
Jones and Weis are also on the same page about his leadership role.
"It's not going to be easy at first,'' Jones said. "But nothing that good ever is. It's a lot of people's dream to go to Notre Dame, and I know I'll be fine.
"If you're a baller, you're a baller.''
