KNOXVILLE -- Defensive back Riyahd Jones has signed a National Letter of Intent to play for the University of Tennessee football program. He becomes the first signee for new Vols' head coach Butch Jones. Riyahd (pronounced Ree-YAHD) played at Garden City Community College in Kansas last season after beginning his college career at Georgia Southern. The Columbus, Ga., native will have two years of eligibility remaining as he coming to Tennessee as a true junior.
RIYAHD JONES
Junior • Defensive Back • 6-0 • 186
Columbus, Ga. (Carver/Georgia Southern/Garden City C.C.)
Prospect Rankings
Rivals: 3-star
Scout: 3-star
247Sports: 3-star
AT GARDEN CITY C.C.
Three-star prospect who's ranked the No. 18 junior-college cornerback in the 247Composite for the 2013 class ... Helped Garden City C.C. to a Mississippi Bowl Championship ... timed at 4.49 seconds in the 40-yard dash ... 22 tackles and a team-leading five pass breakups in 10 games at Garden City C.C.
AT GEORGIA SOUTHERN
Played in 10 games, including seven starts...finished with nine tackles, one pass breakup, and one fumble recovery ... Helped Georgia Southern to a 10-5 record and an NCAA FCS Semifinal game appearance, the first appearance in the semis for the Eagles since 2002.
AT CARVER HIGH SCHOOL
Three-star Rivals.com standout that was part of the 13-1 team that went to the semifinals of the GHSA state championships... As a junior, caught 27 passes for 405 yards and five touchdowns... Participated in the Georgia National Underclassmen Combine ... played for Carver Head Coach Del McGee.
PERSONAL
Full Name: Riyahd Andre Jones ... First Name Pronounced: Ree-YAHD ... Born: May 4, 1993 ... Son of Charles and Billesses ... Brother of Jalen.
(E-mail Stan Crawley at wscrawley@earthlink.net)