Early Signing Day: Bulldogs flip 3-star RB Kyron Jones from NC State
Georgia successfully flipped 3-star running back Kyron Jones from NC State on Wednesday.
The 6-foot-1, 200-pound tailback de-committed from the Wolfpack just two days ago, and chose the Bulldogs during the first day of the Early Signing Period. He received an offer from Georgia on Dec. 8 and took a visit to Athens and campus the very next day.
According to several reports, Jones is expected to play defensive back for the Bulldogs when he arrives. He and Georgia defensive backs coach Fran Brown has developed a relationship. The two have bonded a lot since Jones was initially offered earlier this month.
Brown and defensive line coach Tray Scott also took a trip to Charlotte to visit Jones after he was offered. Bulldogs’ head coach Kirby Smart and running backs coach Dell McGee also played a role. Brown becomes the 25th member of Georgia’s 2023 recruiting class.
Jones told 247Sports’ Steve Wiltfong that he was excited about his pledge to the Bulldogs.
“The opportunity to play for a great program and attend a great school like Georgia is a dream,” he said earlier this month. “To have an opportunity to compete every day with some of the best players in the country and play in a conference as good as the SEC is something to really think about. I would be getting the opportunity to play highly-competitive football not far from home with my family getting to see me is exciting to think about.”
Jones also runs track and field for Charlotte Christian. He was a North Carolina Division I state champion as a junior in the 100-meter (10.60) and 200-meter (21.60) dashes.
In 2022, Jones totaled 1,346 rushing yards and 16 TDs while averaging over 10.1 yards per attempt. He also hauled in three receiving scores during his senior campaign this year. Jones was also productive on defense, totaling 43 tackles and three pass deflections.
Scouting Report:
Good build with above-average height. Will easily play north of 200 pounds in college thanks to long-levered frame and bulking capacity.
Excellent track athlete. Won North Carolina D-I state championships in the 100 meters and 200 meters as a junior in May 2022.
Initial downhill acceleration reflective of that speed. The First 10-20 yards are explosive. Displays adequate short-area agility at lower gears. Gains yardage after contact despite upright gait.
Good production as a junior with 900-plus rushing yards on an encouraging per-carry rate (8.7). Also showed pass-catching ability in limited opportunities, played significant defensive snaps, and contributed in the return game.
Open-field gear is generally not reflective of outstanding sprint data (sub-11.00 100, sub-22.00 200). Can squeeze more of that track juice out at the top end. Stiff-hipped at times and gears down to redirect at higher speeds. Testing data across multiple off-seasons have been mixed.
Power Five-caliber running back prospect with impressive physical tools and a hard-to-beat track profile. May need time to develop, but the long-term ceiling could be particularly high -- that of an impact college player, possible NFL Draft candidate -- if everything comes together. — Gabe Brooks, 247Sports
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