Lutheran North defensive line standout Demetrius Jones announced a verbal commitment to Lindenwood last week. (Photo courtesy: PrepRedZone.com)

DeMarcus Dixon
Staff Writer

ST. CHARLES, MO — The Lindenwood University football team landed another big-time local prospect last week, when two-time All-State defensive lineman Demetrius Jones announced his plans to join the program next season.

Jones, a 6-foot-3, 265-pound defensive tackle made the announcement via his Twitter account last Friday.

The three-star prospect, according to Rivals.com, had at least 12 scholarship offers from schools such as Ball State, Colorado, Iowa State, and Nebraska, but said he chose Lindenwood because he wanted to play close to home and he felt he had already developed a strong relationship with head coach Jed Stugart and Director of Recruiting Corey Bethany.

Jones was recently voted the No. 7 best high school prospect in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch’s 2023 Super 30 preseason football recruiting countdown, which was not a big surprise, considering the dominant junior season he had at Lutheran North.

In 2022, Jones had 94 tackles, 15 quarterback sacks, and 31 tackles-for-loss. He also forced four fumbles and tipped two passes that led to interceptions.

This year, Jones will his senior season battling an injury and may miss some time. But every coach at Lindenwood is excited to know that a top notch prospect such as Jones will be joining their team next season.

Lutheran North will begin its 2023 season this Saturday afternoon, when it will play Hazelwood Central.

Lindenwood will begin its 2023 campaign next Thursday, August 31, when it will host Wisconsin-Stevens Point at Hunter Stadium.