It wasn’t long ago that Omaha Westside’s Christian Jones was an untested young linebacker trying to find his feet at the varsity level.
Jones burst onto the scene as a freshman, flashing athleticism and long-term potential that caught the eye of college coaches right away. Two Class A state football championships then followed as Jones developed into one of the nation’s best linebacker prospects.
Ranked as the state’s top high school recruit in the Class of 2025 and the No. 157 prospect nationally by 247Sports, Jones is weighing offers from schools such as Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Tennessee and USC.
Throughout the long recruiting process, Jones has been patient and content to work on his craft as coaches pitched visions of the future.
A decision will still need to be made eventually, but Jones isn’t changing his approach now.
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“I’m not letting it control me to chase offers or stars, I’m focused on right now in the present,” he said of the recruiting attention. “I can’t go to college right now, but I can win another state championship. I’d say I haven’t really been affected by it because I’m not focusing on it yet.”
Jones has always possessed the athleticism needed to be an impact football player and he’s worked hard to develop those skills on the field according to head coach Paul Limongi. Both player and coach spent the 2021 season at Omaha Burke, in which Jones made an instant impact as a freshman.
Moving to a Westside program that’d played in three consecutive state title games meant new techniques, new keys and new defensive responsibilities for Jones to adjust to — and his growth was instantaneous.
“He was able to play faster, play with more confidence and do a variety of different things that make him so versatile,” Limongi said. “Whether it was playing against the run, playing near the line of scrimmage, playing the pass or rushing the passer, he was able to build on all those things.”
Versatility is a hallmark of Jones’ strengths as a player. The 6-foot-3, 223-pound recruit is an explosive athlete who’s running the 100-meter, 200-meter and 4x100 races as a member of the Westside track team this spring. That speed has helped him become a dangerous pass-catcher who hauled in nine touchdowns as a junior.
In fact, Limongi feels that Jones would be a heavily recruited offensive player if not for his skills on the defensive side of the ball. Jones covers ground quickly in the open field, flying around to make tackles both at the line of scrimmage and on the edge.
Jones could play either inside or outside linebacker moving forward, and his approach to the game is another trait that’s impressed college coaches.
“He’s never satisfied and is always looking for ways to improve whether it’s in the classroom, in his diet, his fitness, or strength and speed training, he just attacks everything with 100% tenacity,” Limongi said. “He’s constantly evolved and elevated his play every year, and I think his best football is ahead of him.”
College coaches are hoping the same. Nebraska was the first program to recognize Jones’ skills as a freshman, offering him a scholarship in October 2021. Other offers followed, but except for trips to Nebraska and Notre Dame, Jones held off on taking recruiting visits until after his junior season.
Recent months have been busy in that regard. Jones saw Florida and Oklahoma in the winter, then unofficially visited Tennessee, Texas A&M and USC this spring. Jones also made the short trip down to Lincoln last Saturday, where he took in a Nebraska practice.
“It was a good, high-tempo practice with a lot of urgency, so that was good to see them in action,” Jones said.
Jones said he has a strong relationship with Nebraska linebackers coach Rob Dvoracek and defensive coordinator Tony White. Notre Dame has been a constant presence throughout Jones’ recruiting process as well.
As Jones visits schools, he said he’s been collecting information and researching which programs would be the best fit for him. He has three clear-cut things he’s looking for in a school: culture, development and family.
“Am I going to be on a team where I’m going to love the dudes I’m playing next to? I want to be able to call them and say, ‘Hey, I’ve got your back,’” Jones said. “I want to have coaches that are going to develop me as a man and a player to get me to the next level of life and football. Then there’s education and family, getting a degree because everyone stops playing football one day. Building those connections and that outside-of-football (perspective) is important.”
Jones’ efforts will continue to increase in the following months as he schedules summer official visits.
The linebacker prospect has never wanted to rush this process, Limongi said, often focusing on team goals rather than individual accolades or recruiting interest.
That’s why even as future decisions loom, Jones said he’s focused on becoming a better leader for his team and improving his skills ahead of his senior season.
“Fighting complacency is my big deal; I don’t want to be that one guy that had all this talent but just gets washed up because he lost the battle to himself,” Jones said. “And I’m blessed to have people around me who won’t let that happen.”