Kobe Jones chooses home over "pretty girls, palm trees"
STARKVILLE – Palm trees and pretty girls weren’t enough to lure Kobe Jones from home. The four-star defensive end from Starkville unzipped a grey sweatshirt to reveal a maroon shirt and MSU bow tie during his national signing day announcement at Starkville High School on Wednesday.
“(Miami) has a history of sending lineman to the league,” Jones said. “South Beach, pretty girls and palm trees, I mean the factor was I had hometown support here.”
Jones said he decided Tuesday night. The finalists included Mississippi State, Miami, Alabama and Ole Miss. His choice remained a secret to his head coach Ricky Woods and Starkville teammate A.J. Brown.
“It was a hard process. I did have interest in other schools,” Jones said. “As you look at the statistics, I can’t afford not to go to Mississippi State. Fletcher Cox (could) sign the highest contract in the history of D-lineman.”
Cox remains in negotiations with the Philadelphia Eagles, but the former MSU defensive lineman could sign a deal worth more than $100 million.
Jones is the same height as Cox at 6-foot-4. He currently weighs 265 pounds, but has room to grow as a defensive tackle. Cox weighed 295 at MSU.
“They’re getting a really good player,” Woods said. “Kobe’s going to put on more weight. He runs well. He’s a great kid who works hard. They got a really good player.”
Mississippi State loses a pair of senior tackles after the 2016 season in Nelson Adams and Nick James, opening the door for Jones to see significant playing time in his second year.
Jones helped solidify MSU’s class along the defensive line. He joined five-star defensive end Jeffery Simmons as the defensive highlights from this year’s signees.
Defensive line coach David Turner was the key behind attracting both players to Mississippi State.
“David Turner was probably the biggest factor because he’s the best at what he does. He makes me feel comfortable,” Jones said. “We’ve built a very strong relationship these past two years.”
Many believed Alabama and Ole Miss represented Mississippi State’s largest obstacles in signing Jones, but Miami nearly won out.
Former Mississippi State defensive coordinator Manny Diaz recruited Jones during his time in Starkville. Jones went on an official visit to Miami on Jan. 25.
“Growing up in Mississippi you feel like there is so much out there other than Mississippi,” Jones said. “That why I took every official visit I had. It was really hard to choose Mississippi because you feel like you miss out on something out there. But the grass isn’t always greener.”
Jones grew up in Starkville and his passion for the Magnolia State grew before Mississippi State reached No. 1 in the country in 2014. His decision rested on more than football, stadiums and facilities.
“It’s my hometown. I’m going to feel like a king around here,” Jones said. “It feels good. I’m on a mission. I’m all about Mississippi and I want Mississippi to shine, too.”
Jones envisions his light shining beyond Mississippi State and the Southeastern Conference. He stood in Starkville High School’s weight room Wednesday and reminisced about his favorite NFL player.
Jones wore No. 52 in honor of Ray Lewis. He plans on following Lewis' career success as well.
“It’s always been a dream,” Jones said. “And now I’m blessed to make it come true.”
Contact Michael Bonner at mbonner@jackson.gannett.com. Follow @MikeBBonner on Twitter.
