Pulaski Academy Coach Kevin Kelley said he thinks junior offensive tackle Luke Jones has a chance to be special.
Jones, 6-5, 280 pounds, was a starter for last year’s 14-0 Class 5A state championship team as a sophomore.
“He’s already showed tremendous improvement from last year,” Kelley said. “ He was fine last year as a sophomore on our undefeated team. I think he’s going to be a big, big-time prospect.”
He opened eyes with an impressive game against former Hope defensive end and Arkansas freshman McTelvin Agim during the playoffs last year.
“He did great; I couldn’t have asked for much better,” Kelley said. “He was a sophomore, and that kid was one of top three defensive ends in the country. He started in the SEC [Saturday], and Luke did great against him.”
Jones, who attended Arkansas’ 21-20 victory over Louisiana Tech on Saturday, saw his matchup with Agim as an opportunity to boost his stock.
“He went into that game and said, ‘Coach, I’m going to use this to make some highlights,'” Kelley said. “That’s the kind of attitude you have to have at that position. Especially at tackle, where you’re not getting any help. It’s you on somebody. You’re really out there on an island.”
With his father being 6-8 and a former basketball player at Ouachita Baptist, Jones is expected to grow a couple more inches.
“He plays basketball,” Kelley said. “I guess football is helping basketball, and basketball is definitely helping football with his athleticism and footwork. He wrestled this last year, too, which helped his balance, strength, core. He’s done all that to get better in football.”
Kelley said Jones should have plenty of options on the major college level.
“With his length and footwork, he’s in a prime spot to really, really present some really good opportunities for himself,” Kelley said.