A Dream to Wear Red: Meet WKU commit Chase Jones

Originally hailing from Bowling Green, Glasgow (Ky.) DL Chase Jones has always known where he wanted football to take him.

"I was originally a Purple, but my family is from Glasgow," Jones said. "It's been a dream to wear red. It feels like I'm at home on campus."

The two-star DL committed to WKU on a preferred walk-on offer thanks in large part to a standout senior season. Jones and the Scotties finished the regular season ranked second in class 3A and now sit at 10-1 after a first round playoff win over Adair County (Ky.).

At 6'4, 280 lbs, Jones brings an imposing presence and solid athleticism up front. Despite not earning a full scholarship offer off the bat, Jones isn't shy about his intentions to ultimately earn his way to that point.

"I'm walking on trying to earn a scholarship," Jones said. "I'm just going to go hard in the weight room and give my best."

For Jones, the draw to walk-on and play at WKU goes beyond just the product on the field or even the local ties. In the case of Chase Jones, his biggest influence in coming to WKU may have come in the form of a friendship with WKU freshman tight end Dalvin Smith.

"Honestly, it played a part in it," Jones said on Smith's influence on his commitment. "Dalvin Smith is my best friend. We come from similar situations."

When Jones moved to Glasgow in 2016, he "immediately" clicked with Smith, who lived right down the road from Jones' new home. The two met playing basketball, and their friendship blossomed from there.

"Once we met, we just clicked," Jones said about Smith. "We both wanted to play college football one day. He never knew where, nor did I."

As fate would have it, the two best friends will get to stand side-by-side in that Hilltopper red that Jones dreamed of playing in.

Another two-star prospect coming out of high school, Jalen Madden has developed into a solid piece of the dominant Hilltopper defensive front. Listed at 6'1, 275 lbs coming out of Tuscaloosa (Al.), Madden was just five pounds lighter than where Jones is at.

Madden is now listed at 300-pounds, which will most likely be the target weight for Jones to reach in his first couple of years at WKU. Don't be surprised if Jones follows the redshirt route, either, just as Madden did coming out of high school.

Jones will have the benefit of taking the time to learn behind experienced lineman, such as Madden, before being thrust into the spotlight. Given some time to develop his body and skillset at the college level, Jones can play an integral role up front for the Hilltoppers.