Hokies Ready to See More This May from Potential "Perfect Whip" Arman Jones

While WR coach Zohn Burden might be the new kid on the block for the Hokies in Virginia Beach, that doesn't mean recruiting coordinator Bryan Stinespring has suddenly stopped visiting his old stomping grounds in the 757.

For years, Stinespring has checked in at Chesapeake's Western Branch HS to get a look at the team's promising prospects. Most recently, he's turned his attention to the team's rising senior OLB Arman Jones.

Stinespring stopped by the school two weeks ago on April 15 as part of a swing through the region, and the visit convinced him to schedule a quick return trip to Western Branch for Burden. Staff at at the school say Stinespring came away thrilled with the way Jones has developed since the last time the pair met.

"He's been recruiting Arman for the last year," said Jarome Bell, the associate head coach and recruiting coordinator at Western Branch.

Bell says that Jones, who's rated a 3-star prospect by the 247Sports Composite ranking, experienced quite the growth spurt in the last two years, jumping from a 6'1", 195-pound sophomore to a 6'3", 220-pound junior. That has the Hokies a bit unsure of where Jones might play at the next level, but intrigued all the same.

"He said they want to recruit him the same way as Kam Chancellor, a guy that's versatile, and could play that outside linebacker or strong safety role," Bell said. "He could be a perfect whip for them."

Jones demurs at the lofty comparison, but says it was certainly nice to hear from the Hokies.

"It was great to hear his name brought up, but I'm not going to be the next (Kam Chancellor) or anything like that, but I do have a body setup similar to his," Jones said. "It's just about understanding what I can do."

The question has to do with Jones' skill in coverage. If he has the ability to keep up with receivers when he drops back, then an offer from Tech could be on the way very soon.

"They want to see me run around more, check receivers in the slot," Jones said. "Until then, they're just not sure about my position."

Jones notes that he's spent time at both OLB and SS at Western Branch, giving him a chance to both rush the passer and cover the slot, which could end up serving as good preparation for an eventual move to whip linebacker or rover in Bud Foster's defense.

The Hokies plan to get a closer look at Jones next week, before getting him to Blacksburg for his first visit to campus in June.

"Coach Burden is planning on coming back here on May 6, then they want him to come up for a one-day camp on June 13, just to get a feel for how he plays in space," Bell said.

Bell says Jones has attracted interest from schools across the country, but the position conundrum has held many back from offering just yet.

"They're all having the same issue: where is he going to be at the next level?" Bell said. "That's why some aren't pulling the trigger right now. It'll probably pick up as we get to May and he starts going to camps."

It's not as if Jones is without concrete offers, however. Schools like Navy, Harvard and Air Force have all offered, while Oregon has offered him a spot as a preferred walk-on.

Bell says those schools, and others, have come away enamored with Jones' pure speed.

"He's extremely fast, he came off the edge for us a lot last year," Bell said. "Coach (Brent) Venables from Clemson thinks he runs like a gazelle."

As teams like the Hokies try to get a handle on Jones' ability to keep up in coverage, Bell believes the team will give him plenty of chances to prove himself next year.

"The way we used him last year, he got to step out on number two receivers some, but he needs to do it more," Bell said. "That will be a big focus for him next year."

Jones will have a prime chance to show off his development in that area of his game if he is able to make it up to Tech's camp this June. He says he hasn't made a final decision on it just yet, but he's heavily weighing making the trip.

"I've never been to Blacksburg, so I'm really considering it," Jones said. "It seems like a great opportunity."