Texas JUCO DE target Jacoby Jones decommits from Oklahoma

Big news broke on Tuesday evening for the Texas Longhorns as defensive line coach Oscar Giles tries to add an instant-impact defensive end to the 2019 recruiting class, as Butler CC’s Jacoby Jones announced his decommitment from the Oklahoma Sooners:

Instability on the defensive coaching staff in Norman potentially played a role in the decision, as Oklahoma head coach Lincoln Riley fired defensive coordinator Mike Stoops after the Cotton Bowl loss to Texas in October and it’s not clear if Ruffin McNeil will remain in that role.

The news from Jones comes at an auspicious time for the Longhorns, as the 6’4, 250-pounder is set to visit Austin this weekend, according to multiple reports.

Texas currently holds pledges from Huntsville defensive end T’Vondre Sweat and Richmond George Ranch defensive end Peter Mpgai, but Mpagi plans to start out at B-backer and Jones is a better bet to contribute early than Sweat.

So the potential to add the nation’s No. 1 junior college defensive end and top-25 junior college prospect overall is huge news for a position coach who hasn’t blown fans away with his recruiting acumen so far. More importantly, it’s big news for a position coach who will lose both starting defensive ends next season.

Given how unlikely that seemed before Jones re-opened his recruitment, Tuesday’s decision could be exactly what the Horns need to finish strong at the defensive end position.

In 11 games at Butler this fall, Jones has been credited with 55 total tackles, 10.5 sacks, 16 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and three pass break-ups.