Four-star RB will miss opener on ESPN

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Seffner (Fla.) Armwood will be without four-star running back Matt Jones when it travels to Las Vegas to take on Bishop Gorman on Aug. 26 on ESPN.

Jones, a University of Florida commit, will have surgery this week for a slightly torn meniscus and will miss at least the first month of the season, according to Armwood coach Sean Callahan.

"He probably won't be available until our first district game," Callahan said.

Davide De Pas/ESPN.comSeffner (Fla.) Armwood RB Matt Jones will miss the season opener in Las Vegas, but his coach is confident Jones' backups will play well.

Jones was able to get further examinations on the injury from the school's athletic trainer and the trainers at the University of Florida during Friday Night Lights on July 22, and the meniscus injury was discovered.

"He can run straight ahead on it, but he can't cut," Callahan said. "He's hurt, he's feels bad, he's frustrated, but as a coach I have to do right by my players. We're going to get him into surgery this week.

"Matt is his own worst critic and he knows if he went on national television and didn't look as good as he could have he would have wished he had the surgery."

Callahan said the running back responsibilities will be divided between senior Wade Edwards (5-foot-9, 160) and sophomore Greg Newton (5-8, 160).

"Both guys are more than capable of getting the job done," Callahan said. "We'll be fine."

What will help both backs is that Armwood's offensive line is arguably the best in Florida, if not the entire Southeast. Senior guard Cody Waldrop already has committed to South Carolina, and 6-5, 275-pound tackle Kevin McCoy has several offers.

"Kevin is probably going to choose between Vanderbilt and UCF," Callahan said.

Armwood center Cameron Dees is also an FBS prospect and will commit during the season. The 6-1, 285-pounder, like Jones, also recently suffered a torn meniscus and will miss the first week of practice. Callahan expects him to be ready for the opener.

Dees is looking at a group that includes Marshall, New Mexico, Iowa State, Ohio, Ball State and Western Michigan.

"I thought Cameron might have committed already, but he wants to wait it out a little longer," Callahan said. "I don't think he's waiting for more offers, he just wants to take it all in and make the right decision."

Corey Long has been covering high school football and recruiting in the Sunshine State since 1995. He can be reached at coreyespn@gmail.com.

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Corey Long

Reporter, RecruitingNation

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• Covers recruiting in the Southeast
• Joined ESPN in 2009