What Donovan Jones’ commitment means for Nebraska

Height and weight: 6-1, 185 pounds.

Other key offers: South Dakota State, Wyoming.

* Camping pays off: To those who doubt the effectiveness of June football camps, look no further than Jones. Heading into the summer, the senior was still searching for his first Division I offer. Jones participated in the Lindenwood (Missouri) University mega camp in the first week of June, where he earned FCS offers from Lindenwood and reigning national champions South Dakota State. Things were even sweeter when both Wyoming and Nebraska extended offers after NU’s Friday Night Lights camp over the weekend. Players who flash athleticism, speed and potential tend to stand out at these summer camps — and Jones’ success is the proof.

* Nebraska and OPS: It’s been a long time coming for Nebraska to land a commitment coming from a player in the Omaha Public Schools system. After Omaha Burke’s Nick Henrich and Chris Hickman joined Nebraska’s 2019 class, the Huskers went four years without landing another OPS product. NU missed out on Xavier Watts (Notre Dame), Deshawn Woods (Wyoming) and Devon Jackson (Oregon) in that period. Now having landed two Omaha North players — Jones in the 2024 class and Tyson Terry in 2025 — Nebraska is locking down the elite talent coming out of Omaha.

To begin with, Jones fits the mold of what Nebraska is looking for in a defensive back recruit. The senior is dynamic and versatile enough to play any spot in the secondary, something he’s already done for Omaha North. Working mostly as a safety, Jones came down with two interceptions and defended seven passes during his junior year. Physically, he seems like a fit at free safety, though cornerback could also be Jones’ future position.

Jones’ rapid offer-to-commitment swing in one week does affect Nebraska’s future 2024 recruiting plans, though. Alongside Mario Buford, Roger Gradney, Braylen Prude, Callen Barta and Evan Taylor, Jones is the sixth 2024 commit who projects best at defensive back. Nebraska has hosted many other safeties and cornerbacks for official visits this summer — and the number of spots NU has for defensive backs continues to decrease. The Huskers can only take so many 2024 commits in the secondary, with Jones locking in his spot on Thursday.