Going Big

Brian Jones signs to play football at Washburn University

Going+Big

Maddie Baker, Sports Editor

Senior year always sneaks up on you when you’re doing the things you love. Once you play your last game, reality hits you that may never play this sport again. For senior Brian Jones, this reality has not had an impact on him because he has signed to play football for Division II school, Washburn University (Topekia, Kansas).

Playing football all four years of high school, Jones played wide receiver senior year and had a total of two touchdowns and 456 receptions.

Washburn wasn’t the only school who had an interest in Jones. Other schools like Missouri Baptist University had shown interest in him.

“Washburn was a great place they had great facilities, but the main thing was the coaches were very interactive,” Jones said.

The first time the Washburn coaches saw highlight videos of Brian was recruitment night in December at Washington University. Once they saw his highlight videos, they were very interested.

Washburn isn’t the only one who has been impressed by Brian’s play and work ethic.

“Brian has always had the ability to make unbelievable catches, some of the best I have seen since I have been coaching football,” Liberty football head coach McMillen said.

Jones is excited to continue his football journey into Washburn and see what the season will hold for him.

“I’m excited for getting to play with some of the best competition there is out there,” Jones said.

But Jones isn’t the only one who is excited for the upcoming season.

“It’s awesome to see my players go play football in college,” McMillen said. “The reason I coach is to help kids achieve goals and be successful. For some kids, that means playing college football, but for most it means just going to college or getting a job. If I can help them achieve whatever it is that they want to do in any way, I have done my job. Brian and Nick (Follmer) have helped put our football program on the radar of college recruiters and have opened doors for players of the future.”

Not only will Jones be stepping into a whole new competition, but he will have to leave setting the foundation for Liberty football behind him.

“It was great setting a foundation for the upcoming kids to come into the program,” Jones said.

Jones’ new football season will start in September 2017 and will be starting his journey all over again at his new school Washburn University.