Miami football commit Artavius Jones has been named to “The 2024 Freaks List: Ranking 50 of the freakiest college football recruits.” Andrew Ivins the Director of Scouting for 247 Sports publishes their annual lists of freaks in the upcoming signing class. Jones has become a late bloomer in the 2024 class.
Jones is the 148th-ranked prospect, 21st defensive lineman and 23rd in Florida in the 2024 Class. Among the 2024 Miami football commits, Jones is third overall and the top defensive prospect. Jones had 58 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, one pass defended, two fumble recoveries and one forced fumble in 14 games in 2022.
The 247 Sports scouting report from Gabe Brooks and Ivins states that Jones is a “Two-way player getting snaps on the DL and OL. Also worked as a TE/FB.” At Miami Jones projects as a defensive tackle. Jones is a multi-sport, multi-positional athlete who added eight receptions for 142 yards and a touchdown on offense.
Jones is one of three blue-chip commits on the DL in the 2024 Miami class. Four-star edge rushers Marquis Lightfoot and Elias Rudolph also committed to Miami this summer. Mario Cristobal and the Miami coaching staff have clearly made the DL line a priority in the 2024 class anchored by Jones.
"No. 26 Artavius Jones, DL (Miami commit)“The buzz surrounding Artavius Jones began this past winter when college coaches were out on the road making the rounds. “Have you seen the kid at Blountstown?” one text read. “He’s a baller,” another said. At the time Jones was unknown to many, but it hasn’t taken long for that to change.onneA four-sport athlete, Jones was Florida’s 1A weightlifting champion in the unlimited division this year with a 420-pound bench press and a 620-pound back squat. He also placed 11th at the Sunshine State’s 1A track meet in the discus and averaged a 10.6 points per game on the hardwood.Jones, who got snaps on both sides of the ball as a junior and made plays at tight end, is extremely functional for someone north of 280 pounds, and that should only allow him to dent protection on Saturdays.”"
Ivins summarized Jones above. At 6’3 and 300 pounds, Jones will provide Miami with needed athleticism and size at DT. Leonard Taylor is expected to leave Miami for the NFL Draft following the 2023 season. Jones is the only 2024 Miami football commit on the 247 Sports Freaks List.
Expect Jones to challenge 2023 true freshmen Collins Acheampong and Josh Horton, sophomore Ahmad Moten, transfer Anthony Campbell, potential other returnees and next year’s incoming transfers for snaps at DT in 2024. Jones is a Miami commit to watch with several other power conference programs still recruiting him.