USC 2023 target R.J. Jones is the X-factor for Bosco against Mater Dei

.@DonJamesSports examines some of the key players who will decide the outcome of the 1-vs-2 Bosco-Mater Dei main event.

There are many USC-related storylines in the upcoming high school showdown between St. John Bosco and Mater Dei. R.J. Jones is connected to a few of them.

R.J. Jones is a 6-foot-1, 193-pound free safety from Mission Hills, Calif., who starts in the secondary of the No. 1 high school team in the nation, St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.).

He has offers from USC, Oregon, Louisville, Arkansas, Washington, BYU, and UCLA. He was previously committed to play with Cal, but he changed his decision on August 18 before the season started.

According to On.3Sports, the USC Trojans are at the top of his list.

He stated that Cal is still very much in consideration for his final decision, and mentioned USC, UCLA, Washington, Oregon State, and Louisville as programs that have been the most active in his recruitment.

“The culture there I would say that they’ve built since before I was even born has never changed,” he said of the Trojans. “Donte Williams, he’s been recruiting me since my freshman year when he was back at Oregon. Him being from the LA area — he’s a real close guy, he’s a real cool guy and I love love Donte.”

Jones plays as a free safety for the Bosco Braves. In their defensive scheme this primarily places him as the single-high safety responsible for locking down the deep middle of the field.

Jones is currently ranked as the No. 90 prospect in the country for the class of 2023, according to @247Sports 

Look for the strong safety next to Jones, Ty Lee — who has over 22 offers including UCLA and Louisville — to also be a central key to beating Mater Dei Friday night in the highly anticipated No. 1 vs No. 2 matchup in the Santa Ana Bowl.

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