Matt Jones of Armwood: Top 50 recruit

Matt Jones is used to running through foes – charging right over obstacles.

This time, the rugged 6-foot-3, 215-pound running back from Armwood (Seffner, Fla.) had to take a step back.

The nation's No. 23 recruit, according to CBS/MaxPreps recruiting expert Tom Lemming, tore the meniscus of his left knee during a summer team camp.

Jones had to miss the first month of the season. For the first time he had to watch from the sideline. He couldn't use his extreme physicality and excellent speed to contribute, the same traits that attracted scholarship offers from virtually every Division I college in the country. The ones that will aid him at the University of Florida next fall.

Making it more difficult, Armwood, No. 2 in the MaxPreps Xcellent 25 national rankings presented by the Army National Guard, opened the season in Las Vegas against then the nation's No. 9 team Bishop Gorman.

It was the first time Armwood had traveled out of state and the game was televised nationally. It was the first major national high school showdown of the year and everyone was watching.

Including Jones. 

"It's tough," Jones said at the time. "I want to contribute so much but I just have to lead on the sideline and not on the field."

He did just that, said Armwood coach Sean Callahan after his team's gritty 20-17 victory on Aug. 26.

Jones led the team in prayer, on the sideline and when the game was on the line he exalted his team positively. Several of his teammates said they actually played for him and were extremely sorry he wasn't out there, not because he's such a talent, but because they knew how hard he had worked to get to this moment.

Even in street clothes, Jones contributed greatly to the victory.

"We all really just wanted to win, but I know I wanted to win for Matt too," said senior tailback Wade Edwards, who rushed for 74 yards and two scores that night. Edwards leads the team with 352 rushing yards and six scores. "I know how bad he wanted to be on the field."

Jones had to be a cheerleader the first three games this season.

He's been implemented into the lineup slowly the last three weeks for the 6-0 Hawks, with just 31 carries for 245 yards and six touchdowns.

With a better view of the entire field, Jones is ready to lead Armwood in a possible state and national title run.

"I think he now has a special level of urgency now that he's had to watch from the sideline," Callahan said on Wednesday. "We've brought him back slowly. He's still not in midseason shape. We want him to hit full stride in three or four weeks when we hit the playoff drive."

Jones at full speed is always a scary sight. At least to defenseless defensive backs.

"In person he looks like an NFL linebacker and on film, he looks like the prep version of Eric Dickerson," Lemming said. "He runs straight up and down and shows surprising speed and excellent strength."

Off the field, Callahan said, Jones has had to overcome a rough childhood that featured few frills.

"He's a special kid," Callahan said. "His mom and done a good job raising him and taught him some very good core values. … He's not real loud but he likes to yuck it up with close friends. He's a good kid. The University of Florida is getting a good one in every sense."

Jones told reporters when he committed that he leaned toward Georgia in the early going, but was wooed by Florida and coach Will Muschamp.

"He's a great guy and so is coach Charlie Weis," Jones said. "They walked me through everything, me and my mom, and it was all great. … I like the pro style offense that they run up there. They said they don't have a back like me."

Who does? Certainly few at the prep level.

"He can out run most defenders but when trapped, he'll run over them," Lemming said. "He's a strong inside runner with a good lean. He's very effective on quick-hitters and is not afraid to lower his shoulder for extra yardage.

"He's really a joy to watch once in the open field. He's much faster than most 215-pounders, shows a decent spin move and can accelerate on a dime."

Lemming predicts Jones will make an immediate impact at Florida as a true freshman.

Callahan can't wait for his full impact this season. Jones isn't far off.

"I think overall the injury, the time away, the lack of wear and tear will be good," Callahan said. "He's got closer to his team because he showed how much he cared while on the sideline. He's a gifted kid and he's making the most of what he has."