A North Carolina highschool soccer participant accomplished his senior 12 months as one of many nation’s high student-athletes. With a 4.1 GPA, the younger man acquired acceptance letters from high schools corresponding to Princeton, Dartmouth, Duke, North Carolina A&T, Morehouse, Navy Air Drive and Military.
Most of the acceptance letters got here with full-ride provides, hoping to make their faculty probably the most engaging to the 6-foot tall, 190-pound quarterback.
Whereas Josh Jones had his decide of a number of Ivy Leagues and NCAA Division 1 colleges, he opted to check for his bachelor’s diploma at considered one of his North Carolina’s 11 traditionally Black schools and universities, North Carolina Central College.
He made the announcement on Twitter, writing, “Before everything, I wish to thank the person up above for every little thing he has offered me with.”
“I wish to thank my household and mates for supporting me all through this journey additionally, it wasn’t simple nevertheless it was value it.”
Then he thanked his coaches earlier than saying his alternative, “All the things so as. It’s an incredible day to be an eagle!!”
Earlier than locking in with NCCU, the latest Westover Excessive College graduate was supplied greater than $3 million in whole by colleges throughout the nation, however selected to remain in his dwelling state for his undergraduate research.
Earlier than interviewing with ABC 11, the Varsity participant had no concept simply how far more he acquired in scholarship. He says he was centered on qualifying and filling out functions that he hadn’t paid consideration.
“In the long run when all was counted up I used to be shocked myself,” Josh mentioned, including, “I wished to try to get each scholarship I might. All my provides that I did get had been tutorial and athletic,” the quarterback boasted.
He additionally mentioned he was cognizant of simply how monumental receiving so many provides really is, however has stayed humble by remembering the place he comes from.
This sense of being grounded comes from having a strong workforce, like his dad, Redrick Jones, who isn’t just the patriarch in his life, but in addition his soccer coach and counselor.
Because the assistant coach at Westover, Jones has had to determine a system of stability for his or her relationship.
“The method of being a father, being a coach is all the time arduous as a result of there’s all the time two hats you’re sporting,” Jones mentioned. “However you bought to maintain every little thing in perspective.”
The top coach at Westover, Ernest King, mentioned he additionally noticed the management qualities in Josh, saying he’s most likely the varsity’s “greatest chief.”
With that management mindset, Josh has one factor particularly he’d prefer to impart to different college students developing behind him. “Keep on the grind, preserve your grades up, and know what you need in life,” he mentioned.
