Jeremiah Jones is listed as a 3-star or a 4-star recruit, depending on the website you’re using, but an offensive lineman who stands at 6’6 and 275 pounds of pure muscle. I watched Jones as Michigan City took on Hanover Central on August 21st, 2026, and he was impressive, despite a loss of 28-10. On one run to his side, he pancaked his blocker, and pancaked his center and the guy his center was blocking. He drove three linemen to the ground at one time. I was shocked the Michigan City offense didn’t run more his way. That was one game of his senior year, which has now turned into a 1-7 year. I asked Jones how this season has changed his view of football, because going from a very successful and winning team, to having a 1-7 record must be difficult. Jones told me,
“Football has always been my home more than a sport, but my senior year taught me what it truly means and takes to be a leader. How much older role models really do carry on their shoulders and I love every single second of it!”
I then asked Jones when he realized he could play at the division one level. It’s every high school players dream to play at the next level, especially at a division one school, let alone the previous national champion. Jones told me that after he was at a game at Western Michigan he realized it was all possible. “I had seen that they were doing everything that I could do, but they were just bigger and older than me, so from that day on… | just keep grinding and putting in that work!” Let me tell you, the work he has put in hasn’t gone unnoticed. He’s the 16th ranked recruit in Indiana, and the 71st best offensive tackle in the nation. How’d he get here? Two words…
Michigan City.
Jones told me “Michigan City football is all I know so far, and the Michigan City coaching staff has gotten me the greatest opportunity I could ask for out of this sport. I’m going to play for the national champions… HOOSIERS!” It’s a mix of Michigan City though. Jones shouted out coaches from the football team and the basketball team. It’s the entire community that’s come together to build Jeremiah into the athlete that he is today. Not just the athlete, but the man he is today. “Big shoutout to all of my offensive linemen coaches. Specifically Coach Adams and my former coach, coach Scully. They got me through this, and they play(ed) a massive role in my skill that I have today. Also, shoutout to my basketball coach, Coach Upshaw, without basketball in my life I doubt I would be anywhere near as athletic as I am and hard working.” I’ve only had two interactions with Jeremiah Jones, and I can say that he isn’t just an athlete. This young man is a genuinely amazing human being. He referred to me as sir, treated me in a professional manner, and was kind. I have the utmost respect for Jeremiah. The first thing he told me during our interview?
“Before anything I would like to give all glory to God and say none of this would be possible without Him.”
As well as Jeremiah talked about his coaching staff at Michigan City, I really wanted to know what about Indiana brought him to his commitment. When k asked what was different about the Hoosiers, he told me “Indiana University genuinely feels like home. All of the staff are genuine and care about football and what they stand for. They built the atmosphere there, it’s different, and of course the cherry on top they’re the national champs!”
Jones really surprised me with how mature he is. A lot of young athletes who have everything going for them let it get to their head. They forget about the little things that matter. They forget to share their success with those around them. Jones though? Jones gave his success back to his teammates, his coaches, and God. I asked him about where he’s been, and I asked him about where he wants to go and accomplish at Indiana. Jones told me, “I’m hoping to achieve a proper pathway for my life through college football, and also my major, so that not only do I get to play and do what I love but also learn life lessons and learn them around people that I can trust.”
How mature of a young man is that? Again, I can’t say enough good things about this young man. He brought up his major in an interview about sports. I told Jeremiah that he has a great head on his shoulders, and that big things will come to him, and I truly mean that and believe that. From Michigan City, to Indiana, I don’t care who you cheer for, you should root for Jeremiah Jones to succeed. He deserves it.
Ian M. Ryan is a journalist from Oak Forest, Illinois. He follows high school, college, and professional sports.
