Recruiting: Healthy Vero Beach CB Robert Jones III ready for "big" spring

Spring is the time of new beginnings, and that fits Vero Beach rising senior cornerback Robert Jones III perfectly.

Jones is coming off a frustrating 2023, when he was forced to miss the first two months of the season because of a broken shoulder blade suffered in practice.

It was the first time the 6-foot-1, 170-pound three-star recruit can remember being unable to do anything but watch from the sidelines.

“That was hard,” Jones said Monday, the first day of spring practice. “I had to pray every day just to get through it. It was really hard not being able to play.

“(This spring) is very big. I’ve been grinding this whole time. Trying to put in the work. Trying get bigger, faster stronger. Trying to make it a good experience this season. We’re trying to go to states. I can’t let my teammates down.”

Despite being limited to just six games last year, TJones impressed when he was on the field.

He recorded 19 tackles, intercepted two passes and broke up nine others — including a career-best four against Heritage in the regional quarterfinals. Jones added four catches on offense and scored the team’s lone touchdown against rival Treasure Coast in the district championship game.

“He works really hard on both sides of the football,” Vero Beach coach Lenny Jankowski said. “He’s obviously a tremendous talent. Combine that with his work ethic and he’s a lot of fun to coach. I’ve just seen his game elevate to a different kind of level. The key is staying healthy, but he’s working really hard, and it should be a lot of fun.”

Jones recently dropped a top 10 list of Auburn, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisville, Miami, Missouri, NC State, UCF, USF. He planned to announce his decision in late May, but has pushed that date back to July so he can take his official visits first.

Jones has official visits scheduled to Illinois, NC State, UCF and USF, and plans to schedule one with Miami. He said those five schools, along with Louisville, currently are at the top of his list.

“I want to play as a freshman,” Jones said. “I want to make an impact as a freshman. I want to play all four years, or all three years in college.”