4-star OT Caden Jones makes the call for the Florida Gators

Chalk up another All-American commit for the University of Florida, as four-star offensive tackle Caden Jones announced for the Gators moments ago.

Jones, who is currently in San Antonio for the All-American Bowl, is fourth offensive lineman in the class and 21st prospect overall. Texas A&M and Houston were the additional schools under consideration, but nearly all of the attention in recent months has been centered on the Gators.

Now, the mammoth offensive line prospect is officially a part of UF’s class. In fact, he informed the Gators of his decision the day after Christmas.

Representing Gretna (La.) De La Salle, the 6-foot-8, 300-pound Jones ranks as the No. 27 offensive tackle and No. 436 player overall. That is according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

“Just the feeling when I’m down there. Also, the coaches who I have a connection with, like, coach Juluke, Sale, coach Stapleton and then coach Napier, but it’s mainly the feeling I get when I’m down there,” Jones told Gators Online when asked why UF came out on top.

“They said they can develop me into the player I want to be in the future.”

Jones: There is a home-like feel at the Swamp

There is much more that goes into a college decision other than football. You also have to live on that campus for nearly an entire year, and according to Jones, Gainesville and its surroundings fit his style like a glove.

During the recruiting process, the Bayou State native took five trips to campus, including an official visit in early December. That familiarity played a major role in the Gators coming out on top in a close battle over the Aggies.

“I’m not a big party guy. There is not a lot to do out there, but that is the type of stuff I like. I really don’t like to go out a lot, so it’s really just a chill campus. I can just mainly chill the whole time and talk to my teammates and then the coaches if I need to,” Jones said.

Although he will not be his positional coach, running backs coach Jabbar Juluke deserves a significant amount of credit as well. Not only is he one of the better recruiters in Louisiana, but he also grew up just a few minutes away in New Orleans. That has been a clicking point dating back to when Juluke recruited Jones at UL as well.

“He’s a good dude,” Jones said of Juluke. “Coming where I’m from, transitioning into college from high school is already hard as it is. Just having someone come from where I come from makes the transition 100 times easier.”

The hospitality starts at the very top

On top of that, Jones was the first prospect Juluke and Napier visiting during the contact period. And as you can expect, that left a lasting impression on the 2023 prospect.

“It made me feel good. My relationship with coach Napier, it’s great because any relationship you have with a head coach who is going to be your head coach for the next couple of years is always great,” Jones said.

“He’s a real genuine dude; he’s a cool dude. He knows a lot about Louisiana too because he coached at UL. The conversations with him are easy.”

Although he plans to redshirt in year one, Jones has arguably the highest ceiling in the class. He boasts elite measurables and could certainly outplay his ranking as long as he puts in the work. You have to love his aggression in the run game as well. You cannot draw them up much better at left tackle.

“A great player with a good attitude,” Jones replied when asked what UF fans can expect from him.

Stay tuned to Gators Online.