The West Virginia Mountaineers football program has landed a commitment from Fresno (Ca.) Fresno City C.C. defensive back Jaylon Jones.
Jones, 6-foot-2, 175-pounds, took an official visit to Morgantown over the weekend and that led to his pledge to the Big 12 Conference program.
Jones is coming off a freshman season where he recorded five interceptions at Fresno City and caught the attention of safeties coach Gabe Franklin who visited him during the evaluation period.
That led to Jones making the official visit to Morgantown and things unfolded from there.
Jones has three years of eligibility remaining in his career and could end up at multiple spots in the defensive secondary including at the safety position.
He represents the first junior college commitment in the 2026 class.
WVSports.com breaks down the commitment of Jones and what it means to the West Virginia Mountaineers football program both now and in the future.
Skill set:
Jones displays strong cover skills and was utilized primarily as a deep safety at the junior college level where he can put those traits to work. The junior college product runs well and plays the ball well in the air. He tracks the football well down the field and puts himself in position to make plays on the football.
Jones has good size and understands how to play in space. He also is a solid tackler when the ball is caught in front of him or in run support and brings experience to the table after time at the junior college level.
Jones had flown somewhat under the radar but has a nice blend of skills that could allow him to be successful in the West Virginia defensive scheme.
Fitting the program:
Jones possesses many of the qualities that West Virginia wants in the defensive backfield with both size and speed as well as an ability to make plays on the ball. The Mountaineers will need to restock the defensive backfield after this coming season and Jones will be able to help in that department.
West Virginia is set to lose at least six of the safeties or nickels on the roster due to graduation following the end of this coming year and that total could always rise depending on what else unfolds. Jones should be able to help in that department given what he has already accomplished.
California hasn’t necessarily been a hotbed for West Virginia over the years, but the junior college circuit has produced plenty of talented prospects over the years and the coaching staff is hoping Jones follows in those footsteps. The program has shown the ability to utilize the junior college circuit to fill roster holes already and this is no different given what Jones brings to the table.
Recruiting the position:
West Virginia is going to need to continue to address the defensive backfield and either hosted or are set to host a number of prospects over the next couple of weeks to potentially fill those holes. Adding Jones is a key step but the Mountaineers need to continue to reshape the roster with speed and athleticism which means that finding those players that bring both to the table will be critical.
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