Baylor switches DE Xavier Jones from Houston for 2014

I know, I know, this commitment happened over 24 hours ago and I'm just now getting to it. And that's right after I waited more than a few hours to report the Jordan Feuerbacher commitment. I'm awful and you're tired of it. I'll be better.

Baylor's seventh commitment of this class is one that I don't think anybody expected: DE Xavier Jones from Magnolia, Texas. He was previously committed to the University of Houston, but Baylor offered yesterday and he accepted on the spot, joining our 2014 class. Jones is a bit of an unknown in recruiting circles, ranked as a low-3* where he is ranked at all, but he was the District 18-4A Defensive Player of the Year as a junior on the strength of his 51 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 11 QB pressures, and 5 sacks. According to David Smoak of ESPN 1660, who interviewed Mr. Jones on his show today, Xavier played at an extremely light 185 pounds this past season but is already up to 215 after the offseason. He'll probably get to Baylor in the Chris McAllister/Terrance Lloyd range of about 240. If he can keep his 4.7 speed in the 40, he could be quite good. He already has excellent height at 6-3, but even so, he's a bit of a project.

There's not much else to report about him that I haven't already said, other than the fact that he plays at Magnolia for an old favorite: former Baylor and China Spring QB Shawn Bell. Texas A&M was reportedly coming by this week to speak with him (just like they were Mr. Feuerbacher, funny how that works), and an offer could have been in the works. It's definitely plausible that with another strong showing his senior year, his recruitment could blow up as so many do.

His HUDL highlights show what Baylor was probably looking for: he's an explosive, speedy rusher who wreaks havoc in the backfield. It's as simple as that. Let's hope he is just the beginning to another outstanding defensive class!