ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, December 26, 1995 TAG: 9512270073
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
Thomas Jones, who rushed for more than 6,000 yards in his final two seasons at Powell Valley High School in Big Stone Gap, will announce tonight that he intends to sign a letter of intent to play football at Virginia.
It was an early Christmas present for UVa coach George Welsh, who learned of Jones' decision in a Christmas Eve telephone call.
Jones, a 5-foot-11, 175-pound running back, has been leaning to Virginia since he visited Charlottesville during the weekend of Dec.15-17, but needed time to inform other schools of his decision. He will make his announcement tonight during a televised news conference.
Jones, who lives in Appalachia, canceled visits to Notre Dame and North Carolina. Tennessee, considered the early favorite to sign him, was the other school in his final four.
``He went up to Tennessee for a game this fall,'' said Phil Robbins, Jones' coach at Powell Valley, ``and Coach (Phillip) Fulmer called Thomas into his office and said, `We'd really like you to commit. We've got four or five other running backs we're recruiting and there may not be a scholarship available in January.'
``The other schools were willing to wait until August if that's what it took to get him.''
The UVa coaches had informed Jones he was their No.1 recruit - regardless of position - and that he was the likely successor to All-ACC running back Tiki Barber, who will be a senior in the fall.
``Thomas is a perceptive youngster, and he realizes there are other running backs in the program and that running backs will be recruited in the future and that nothing will be handed to him,'' Robbins said.
``That youngster doesn't have an ounce of prima donna in him. He started every game at outside linebacker for us the last two years and never once asked to come out, although his future was on the offensive side'' of the football.
Jones, named to the preseason All-America team selected by SuperPrep magazine, was the Group A player of the year and was rated the No.1 prospect in the state by The Roanoke Times.
``I went up to Virginia for a coaching clinic last March,'' Robbins said, ``and [the UVa coaches] handed me a copy of a letter in which they were notifying Thomas that he would be offered a scholarship.''
Jones had 338 carries for 3,007 yards and 49 touchdowns this past season for Powell Valley, which finished 14-0 and won the Group A Division 2 championship. He rushed for 7,193 yards and scored 104 touchdowns in his career.
``I've always been really interested in Virginia,'' said Jones, who took an unofficial trip to Charlottesville in March and saw the UVa-Maryland men's basketball game on March 5. ``They've been recruiting me seriously since the last state track meet.
``I'd say it was even between Notre Dame and Virginia until my visit. The people were nice and it was an opportunity for me to play. Plus, it's not so far away that my parents can't see me play.''
Jones, whose father is an academic counselor at East Tennessee State, has met the NCAA's scholarship and eligibility guidelines for academics. One of his hosts at UVa was Barber, an academic All-America selection this year.
Jones is the 11th player known to have committed to Virginia.
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