By The dream come true cliche is often overused in recruiting. For Omaha Burke linebacker Christian “CJ” Jones Saturday truly was a dream come true.
The 6-3, 200-pound freshman received his first Division I scholarship offer from Nebraska. The team he and his family grew up cheering for.
“It is definitely a dream that came true,” Jones said. “I have been a Husker fan my whole life and my dad (Dave Jones, 97’) played at Nebraska so it was really cool. In my first baby pics I was in a Nebraska jersey and then this happened. My mom was the one that it hit the hardest, she started crying.”
Saturday was the second unofficial visit Jones has taken to Nebraska this season. The first was Oct. 2 when NU hosted Northwestern. A conversation with inside linebacker coach Barrett Ruud on the sideline prior to kickoff Saturday against Purdue.
“I was kind of like is this really happening and didn’t really know what was going on to be honest,” Jones said of the conversation with Ruud. “I didn’t really have any words to say. All I could say was thank you. I was in disbelief.”
It is clearly early in the recruiting process for him but the quick movement by the NU staff certainly has left an impression on Jones.
“I really enjoyed how the coaches are and the relationships I’m building are good,” he said. “There was really positive energy today and just feeling the hype of everything going on was cool.”
Jones and current NU inside linebacker Nick Henrich have a clear relationship. Henrich, an Omaha Burke graduate, has taken Jones under his wing so to speak.
“I would say it is kind of a mentor to mentee relationship,” Jones said of Henrich. “We talk every once in a while and he gives me tips and tricks to succeed and always gives good positive feedback.”
Jones has played in all ten games this season for the Bulldogs. On defense he has 40 total tackles (22 solo) and 9.5 tackles for loss including 4.5 sacks and one interception. Burke’s next game will be 7 p.m. Friday night at Omaha Westside in the Class A quarterfinals.
Beyond blessed to receive my first D1 offer from the University of Lincoln Nebraska. @BarrettRuud @HuskerFBNation @SeanDillonNU @coachwilhite GBR!!??⚪️ pic.twitter.com/MrDKGIyvoQ
— Christian Jones (@CJones428) October 31, 2021
