Ohio running back D'Shawntae Jones planning return trip to Kentucky

Glenville (OH) High School running back D’Shawntae Jones was in Lexington over the weekend for his second visit to the University of Kentucky. After meeting with new running backs coach Jay Boulware and soaking in everything the program has to offer, Jones is already planning his next trip back.

Clocking in at 5-foot-9, 225 pounds, Jones is a low-to-the-turf, bulldozing power runner from the class of 2024 who is beginning to hear more and more from college coaches. Kentucky was his third Divison I offer, which he earned in June 2022 following a camp visit — his first time at UK. The likes of Marshall, Syracuse, Miami (OH), Kent State, Army, Temple, and several others have also offered, with most of his scholarship opportunities coming since the new year began.

But Kentucky is standing out early to Jones, who told KSR that he wants to make a third trip to Lexington for an official visit sometime during his senior season this fall.

“I toured the campus, they showed me a lot of different things, I interacted with the players, talked to the coaches, had a meeting with the running backs coach, learned blocking, stuff like that,” Jones told KSR on Tuesday about his visit to UK. “(Boulware) seemed like a really good dude. He has a lot of knowledge that I took from him and took back to my high school to start blocking different and running the ball.”

On3 is the only major outlet so far to rank the Cleveland, OH product, tabbing him as a three-star recruit and a top 75 running back in the country.

Great visit at the university of Kentucky 🔵#BBN Thank you to @vincemarrow , @CoachJ_Boulware and @cjconrad1 💙💙can’t wait to come back🤞🏾 pic.twitter.com/tTwgn8Wt9M

— D’shawntae Jones (@Dshawntae7) April 23, 2023

Along with Boulware, associate head coach Vince Marrow, who leads Kentucky’s recruiting efforts in the state of Ohio, has made a positive early impression on Jones, as well.

“Coach Marrow, he keeps it real,” Jones said. “He’s a big friend of (Glenville) Coach (Ted) Ginn. He tells us a lot of different things. He’s just family, for real. He just wants us to be the greatest athlete that we can be.”

Marrow is no stranger to the Glenville program, either. Jones’ teammate, four-star ’24 tight end Damarion Witten, also suits up for Glenville and is being heavily recruited by the ‘Cats. The two made the trip to UK together over the weekend and Jones says he could see each other teaming up again at the college level with Kentucky.

“One particular guy that they’re recruiting very well is our tight end, Damarion Witten,” Jones added. “Coach (Marrow) is doing a really good job with that one right there. Me coming on the board, I feel like that could be home for me and Damarion.“

Jones’ biggest takeaway from his time on Kentucky’s campus? The connection that everyone shares from top to bottom.

“The brotherhood, the connection between the coaches, how they just keep it real. That’s the main part,” Jones said. “One thing about Kentucky, they’re always going to take care of you. That’s the one thing I learned about them.”

During Glenville’s perfect 15-0 run to a state title victory in 2022, Jones carried the load throughout the season, highlighted by three touchdowns and 195 rushing yards in the Division IV championship game.

In addition to his expected return visit to Kentucky in the fall, Jones says he’ll also visit Miami (OH) in early May.