Omaha North safety Donovan Jones commits to Nebraska football

Omaha North football will have two Nebraska commits on defense this fall.

Viking safety Donovan Jones committed to the Huskers after a whirlwind week that included working out at a Friday Night Lights camp, getting an offer from NU coach Matt Rhule on the phone Saturday and taking an official visit Monday.

Jones joins a group of recent run Nebraska defensive back commits in the 2024 class — Callen Barta and Evan Taylor among them — and joins 2025 defensive tackle Tyson Terry as a commit on Omaha North’s team.

NU offered Jones one day after a strong workout at the FNL event, where he ran a 4.52-second 40-yard dash. Coming out of a workout wearing an Iowa State shirt, Jones received a call from Nebraska coach Matt Rhule, who told him to switch into a Husker shirt. Jones did, and called back.

“I haven’t talked to him that much, but I’ve been to spring practice, and just from that experience you can tell he’s a good dude,” Jones said after he got the offer. “He coaches you hard, and I love that.”

Unrated by all recruiting services, Jones also had an offer from Wyoming, which he received at the FNL event. Last season at North, Jones had 42 tackles, two interceptions and seven pass breakups.

He becomes the 15th overall commit in Nebraska’s rapidly expanding class and the fifth defensive back commit, joining Callen Barta, Mario Buford, Roger Gradney and Braylen Prude. Of that group, the 6-foot-5, 190-pound Prude could grow into a linebacker role.

NU is set to host more defensive backs this weekend, including Westside safety Caleb Benning.