'12 CO TE Zach Jones (Signed to New Mexico State)

[Buffnik]

Rivals
Scout
ESPN
247 Sports

#45 ThunderRidge H.S. (Highlands Ranch, CO)

Ht: 6-foot-4
Wt: 240 lbs
40: 4.62 secs

Rivals rating: unranked TE
Scout rating: 2*-#83 TE
ESPN rating: 2*-70 grade; #113 TE
247 rating: 2*-72 rating; #114 TE

Reported Offers: Northern Colorado, New Mexico State

 

[Buffnik]

Zach did very well at the Utah Nike Combine last June.

Zach Jones -- 6-3, 233, Thunder Ridge (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) (2012) TE
Results: 4.62 40, 4.78 shuttle, 39-0 PB, 30.1 VJ, 93.75 SPARQ
Breakdown: Good looking pass-catching prospect with above average 40 time for a player his size. Jones was used primarily as a blocking tight end in his first year as a varsity starter in ’09. He helped his team to a playoff birth and is looking to get more involved in the offense as his team switches to a shotgun attack this season.

http://rise.espn.go.com/football/articles/2010/06/24-Utah-combine-Launching-pad.aspx

 

[Buffnik]

Although Zach is a Tight End, I think that ThunderRidge may have used him quite a bit at Fullback last season. According to the Denver Post, he had 16 receptions along with 50 rushing attempts.

Sounds like he's an accomplished blocker with very good speed for the position. Some things I've read reported that he's also up to 6'4".

Rep to anyone who has seen Zach play and can give a report.

Also, rep to anyone who can find a photo we can post in his profile.

 

[GoldenBuff]

I'm pretty sure this is him but I can't be 100% sure. There's some video on him at the rivals colorado prep site but I don't have a subscription but I can't see it. He also plays basketball too.

 

[Buffnik]

That's definitely him. He's #45 for ThunderRidge. MaxPreps had a photo, but I couldn't use it because of copyright issues.

 

[Buffnik]

Scout's saying that Jones is in Vegas this weekend (along with '13 QB prospect Ryan Novak) for the Badger Elite 7 on 7.

No offers yet, but CU's Brookhart is talking to him.

http://colorado.scout.com/2/1057328.html

 

[Buffnik]

[video=youtube;G2BB_8jB-CU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2BB_8jB-CU[/video]

 

[Buffnik]

In addition to finally finding his highlights, Rivals has added a profile (Brookhart is scouting him), and ESPN has also added a review (linked in profile):

​Jones is a blue collar type offensive player. Not very flashy, but will try and get the job done. He is a fullback / H-Back in high school and at the college level looks to be a kid best suited for a pro-style / run-oriented offense. He has good size and could fall into those roles again in college. He is a kid that gets some carries, but beyond an occasional short-yardage opportunity he will contribute best as a blocker at the next level. The closer to the line of scrimmage he is the more comfortable and productive he seems as a blocker. When lined up more in an H-Back role he is able to locate and more quickly get into his target. He does a solid job of getting hands on. He will work to try and stay with the block, but needs to be sure to keep his pads down and on contact role his hips and derive more power from his lower body and try and close the space between him and the defender. He can seem to get a little top heavy and overextended and needs to keep his pads lower to help him pick-up and deliver a good pop on moving targets. He flashes solid ability to catch the ball as an outlet target. Jones is a kid with good size and with continued development could help contribute as a blocker.

 

[J.R. Ewing]

Hi Folks, long time freeloading reader, first time poster.

4.62 is pretty fast for a tight end. He's looks fairly good catching the ball, but I wish the highlight film had some footage of him blocking. Hopefully he'll be attending more camps and the coaches can get a feel for how he does against good competition. With no other offers in so far, this might be one we have to watch and see how he progresses his senior year.

 

[SpacemanSpiff]

Welcome from another Buff in H-Town!

 

[Buffnik]

Welcome aboard HouBuff. About time you got off your ass and posted something. :smile2:

 

[buff4bcs1985]

In addition to finally finding his highlights, Rivals has added a profile (Brookhart is scouting him), and ESPN has also added a review (linked in profile):

​Jones is a blue collar type offensive player. Not very flashy, but will try and get the job done. He is a fullback / H-Back in high school and at the college level looks to be a kid best suited for a pro-style / run-oriented offense. He has good size and could fall into those roles again in college. He is a kid that gets some carries, but beyond an occasional short-yardage opportunity he will contribute best as a blocker at the next level. The closer to the line of scrimmage he is the more comfortable and productive he seems as a blocker. When lined up more in an H-Back role he is able to locate and more quickly get into his target. He does a solid job of getting hands on. He will work to try and stay with the block, but needs to be sure to keep his pads down and on contact role his hips and derive more power from his lower body and try and close the space between him and the defender. He can seem to get a little top heavy and overextended and needs to keep his pads lower to help him pick-up and deliver a good pop on moving targets. He flashes solid ability to catch the ball as an outlet target. Jones is a kid with good size and with continued development could help contribute as a blocker.

nate solder 2.0?

 

[FtColBuff]

I don't see him as another Nate Solder. But I do see him as another Will Pericak 2.0. imo, he makes a great DE or DT candidate.

 

[sackman]

Will Pericak wasn't much of a tight end in high school. He was first and foremost a linebacker. On offense, he would line up as a fullback more often than at TE. Hawk trying to convert him to a TE was a joke from the get-go.

 

[JRK7]

New Mexico State

 

[o_robbie]

Was hoping we could get him in as a preferred walk on.