Kaydin Jones is one of Oklahoma's most talented running backs. Starting at Broken Arrow as a freshman, Jones turned many heads, earning him five Division-1 offers before his sophomore season. The freshman running back at Broken Arrow rushed for 1,264 yards and 11 touchdowns, with 541 receiving yards and two additional scores. After his track season concluded at Broken Arrow, Kaydin Jones announced he would be moving to Jenks to play for the same school his father did in high school. Kaydin was not the only Tiger joining the Trojans. His quarterback, Owen Jones, also made the move to Jenks. Kaydin Jones is adjusting well to the move to Jenks, "I fell in love with the team as soon as I moved; I just love the atmosphere here." Jones also talked to the Crimson Captain about the strength program at Jenks, "It's the consistency. Coach Whit is our strength coach, and the workouts he puts us through are different; you can tell the difference in your body when you are going through it."
Kaydin Jones is a familiar name for Sooner fans; he is the son of former Oklahoma running back Kejuan Jones. Kejuan is regarded by many as one of the greatest players in Oklahoma high school football history. At Jenks, Kejuan put together many impressive performances, most notably his 2000 performance in the "Backyard Bowl." As the clock was approaching zero, all signs looked to be pointing to a Union win over their rival Jenks, despite Kejuan Jones's four rushing touchdowns in the game. Then, Kejuan Jones called game, scoring an 80-yard touchdown to give Jenks the 41-37 win, sending the crowd of 30,000+ at Skelly Field into a complete frenzy. At Oklahoma, Kejuan Jones rushed for 2,331 yards with 36 touchdowns throughout his four-year career. He also caught 51 passes for 491 yards and one touchdown.
Kaydin Jones is looking forward to playing Union this year on September 8th, "The Union game is going to be a banger." The "Backyard Bowl" is no longer played at Skelly Field, but Kejuan has talked to his son Kaydin about the environment of the game and what he can expect in his first "Backyard Bowl," "Hopefully next year we can play there (at TU). He's told me about the atmosphere; he said the environment is crazy. He said he packed out TU every time they played there." Kaydin Jones is also looking forward to returning to Broken Arrow on October 27th, "it's a highly anticipated game in our lockerroom."
Kaydin Jones has already solidified himself as one of OKPrep's best running backs. This year, he will also be playing cornerback for one of the best defensive minds in the state, Jenks Defensive Coordinator Adam Gaylor. Jones is "super excited" about playing cornerback for Jenks, "Coach Gaylor is a great coach. When I first came to Jenks, I planned on playing Corner, but I won't continue to do it if it's not something I love. Coach Gaylor made me fall in love with it; he makes you want to play defense for him." Jones is considering playing cornerback at the next level, "If this is where I pan out to be (Corner), whatever gets me to the league.
Kaydin Jones recently made it down to Norman for a visit for "Sooners Under The Stars." Jones told the Crimson Captain about the visit, "It was great. I really love the program. Coach Murray, he's kind of like Coach Gaylor; he makes you want to play football for him. Coach Murray is credible; he knows what he is talking about. He's been at the next level before; he was a top back in the league. Why would you not want to play for someone who has made it to where you want to make it to?" Jones continued to talk highly of the Sooners' coaching staff, "Coach Lebby is a great coach. We were watching film at the end of the day. He was running it down for us; OU is a run-first team. He led the SEC in rushing at Ole Miss and the Big 12 in rushing last year at OU." The possibility of Kaydin Jones playing for the Sooners in the future is unique for him and his entire family. Kaydin told the Crimson Captain about his parents' thoughts of him playing for the Sooners, "If you ask him (his father Kejuan), he would say he would love it. My mom doesn't really care where I go, but she says that if I stay in Norman, it would be great. It's easy to access; you do not have to go far from home. You can't complain about OU. They are a top-notch program, the winningest program in College Football history (since 1946)."
Kaydin Jones told the Crimson Captain about each school that has offered him, where they stand, his relationships, and why it would be a good school for him.
Colorado: "When they first offered me, we had a really strong relationship. The coach who offered me, Cordale Gundy, has an NFL job now. He is on the Vikings. I loved building that relationship with him. I was supposed to go down there for the Spring Game, but I couldn't make it. With them being my first offer and in the future, they are moving conferences to the Big 12, that's huge. That ups the chances of me going there."
Tulsa: "Tulsa is my hometown; how could I not want to go there? Coach Kevin Wilson actually coached my dad. My dad only has high praise for him. He said he is the reason he got on the field at OU. He was the OC at Ohio State for the longest, during their reign of greatness. Why would you not want to play for that? Dominique Franks is there as well. My dad talks highly of him. My cousin goes to Tulsa, NuNu Campbell, and Braylin Pressley just got there. There are some dawgs at Tulsa."
Oklahoma State: "When they first offered me, I was at work. Me and Coach Wozniak were just talking. I loved our first phone call; it wasn't just "hey, we are going to offer you" it was "hey, I don't know you let me get to know you type of thing." He struck me from that point, and I felt he was trying to build the relationship instantly. Before they even offered me, I had a workout in front of the Offensive Coordinator, Kasey Dunn, and he was really present and interactive, talking to me. That relationship has definitely been built. When I went up there in April, we took photos and everything. They have some of the best jerseys in College Football, and that plays a part in it too. Going up to Stilly, I always feel welcomed. Coach Gundy is a great guy, and I love talking to him."
Texas Tech: "Lubbock, that drive is pretty rough, I'm not going to lie. But when I did go down there, Coach Martin was lovely. Coach C.J. Ah You was actually the one who offered me. I haven't gone down there much, and I haven't built that relationship a lot. I know someone who goes to Texas Tech, so it would be cool. They are a really good program. I love how they run their offense. Coach McGuire is a great coach; he turned that program around."
Oklahoma: "Like I mentioned earlier, how could you not want to play for those guys? Coach Venables coached while my dad was there, went to Clemson, won National Championships on National Championships, and is a great defensive mind. If I do end up going to OU for defense or running back, I know he will help me develop as a player wherever I am. OU has a reputation that if you are good at OU, you will be good in the league; that's what NFL scouts look at. You are going against the top dogs. Taylor Tatum just committed there. Why would you not want to go against the best competition? Last spring, I had a little contact with Caden Durham and David Stone. OU is starting to pick up some big-time recruits; just from a hometown standpoint, you always want to see your hometown team have success. My mom and grandma love the S.O.U.L Mission. Football doesn't last forever, you always need a backup plan. My grandma is a principal so of course she is going to see more than football. It offers everything you need to go to the next level and even higher. Like I said earlier, football doesn't last forever. You need something to fall back on if you have that season or career-ending injury. I think it's a great opportunity."
Kaydin Jones is a long way from making his college decision, but it will be interesting to see where he ends up as his college offers list grows.
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