HOWELL — Howell senior Justin Jones was weighing two offers to play college football at Division II schools when a dream opportunity arose late in the process.
Western Michigan coach Lance Taylor contacted him with an offer to play at the Division I level as a preferred walk-on after conversations with Howell head coach Brian Lewis and defensive coach Mitch Zajac.
“They really helped me out,” Jones said. “They went to a coach’s clinic and talked to coach Taylor and were able to connect me with him and he offered me.”
Jones had offers from Wayne State and Michigan Tech, Division II programs who play in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
“Everyone’s dream is to go play Division I football,” Jones said. “When it came across, it was kind of hard to refuse.”
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Jones gave up the security of a guaranteed scholarship for a chance to earn one down the road at Western. To Jones, it wasn’t much of a gamble.
“I believe in myself to be able to go earn a scholarship,” he said. “I didn’t really see it as much of a risk as it is just a challenge.”
Jones wasn’t on the radar of college programs heading into his senior year because he spends summers playing baseball, not doing the college football camp circuit.
He gained notice during a season in which he scored 32 touchdowns to break the Livingston County record of 27 set by Brighton’s Shane Dokey in 2011. His 1,735 rushing yards broke the Howell record of 1,589 set in 1976 by former first-round Major League Baseball draft pick David Hibner.
“I never went to any camps,” said Jones, who will start out on special teams and work toward playing outside linebacker for the Broncos. “Everything I did on the field was what got me any offers or anything like that.
“I’m just thankful I even get this opportunity. My parents have been very supportive. My friends have been very supportive. My coaches have helped me with everything. I couldn’t be more thankful.”
Jones will be the third Howell player on Western Michigan’s roster, joining defensive linemen Mason Nelson and August Johanningsmeier. He spoke with both players before making his decision.
“They only had good things to say about Western,” Jones said.
Contact Bill Khan at wkhan@gannett.com. Follow him on X @BillKhan
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