A Look at Toledo Running Back Commit Damion Jones-Moore

It is not every day that you come across a running back prospect like Damion Jones-Moore. He is only 5-7 and 173 pounds, which is why he is considered an under the radar prospect. However, Jones-Moore is one of the most talented running backs in the state of Pennsylvania.

An All-PIAA Class AAAA running back at Central Catholic in Pittsburgh, Jones-Moore rushed for 1,673 yards and 32 touchdowns as a senior in 2011. He averaged an amazing 10.1 yards per rush on a team that was ranked 13th in the country in the Powerade FAB 50 and #1 in the state of Pennsylvania heading into their upset loss in the state semifinals.

Jones-Moore led Central Catholic into that state semifinal game with a 302 yard, three touchdown performance the week before.

Damion is just the 2nd running back in Pittsburgh Central Catholic history to rush for over 4,000 yards in his career. He had already amassed over 2,400 yards and 37 touchdowns through his first two seasons before fighting through an ankle and groin injury as a junior in 2010. Even through the injuries, Jones-Moore rushed for 1,074 yards that year, his lowest rushing total of each of his four years of high school.

His size and the injuries as a junior kept many Division I FBS schools away. Toledo, Ohio University, and FCS school Youngstown State all offered Jones-Moore scholarships, but that was it.

By early October of 2011 Damion had rushed for 748 yards and 14 touchdowns. At that time the star running back decided that Toledo was the place for him and he committed to the Rockets.

"I went there and went for a visit and I liked the school and I liked the program," Jones-Moore said of Toledo. "All the coaches were winners. All the coaches up there were awesome, so I kind of felt at home when I went up there."

Jones-Moore had been a top target on Toledo's recruiting board for some time. He was recruited by assistant coaches Louis Ayeni and Jason Candle.

With Adonis Thomas and Morgan Williams graduating, Toledo will give Jones-Moore an opportunity to play early. Running back David Fluellen (will be a junior in 2012) is the only returning running back on Toledo's roster with a lot of playing experience. This gives Jones-Moore and his 4.45 speed a chance to play right away as a true freshman.