NC State football recruit expanding his versatility in his senior year at Rolesville

Optimism, rightfully so, is rising at Rolesville High these days. The school that opened 10 years ago when it split from Wake Forest High increasingly looks comfortable among the state’s football powers.

The Rams, an NCHSAA East Region semifinalist a year ago, opened the season last week with a 21-19 upset of visiting Butler, a perennial state power from the Charlotte area. The victory jumped Rolesville into the latest rankings at No. 17 in the Carolinas Top 25 and No. 7 in the state 4A poll.

A challenging schedule reflects Rolesville’s desire to play among the state’s elite, even though it means another week looking up in the polls. The Rams play Grimsley, No. 2 in the Carolinas 25 and No. 1 in 4A, at 7 p.m. Friday in Greensboro.

Grimsley (1-0) was the 4A state runner-up a year ago.

The Rams, though, enjoy bolstered optimism by winning their opener without half of their game of Mr. Inside, De’Von Thomas, and Mr. Outside, Isiah Jones.

Oh, Jones, Mr. Outside, was on the field proudly wearing NC State gloves as a Wolfpack commit. But the 5-foot-10, 195-pounder didn’t look like the guy who a year ago averaged 7.3 yards a carry while finishing with 54 carries for 1,122 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Butler’s defense swarmed to contain him on Rolesville’s first possession. Three straight carries by Jones ended with a punt on fourth-and-3. But to be fair, he was recovering from a bout of food poisoning.

“We had to hold him out of our scrimmage,” said Ranier Rackley, the Rams’ new head coach who was promoted from within after four years as an assistant. “He was still getting his feet under him, and Butler’s defense was lights out. They were pursuing him; they wouldn’t let him get outside.”

Rolesville fell behind 3-0 and dodged another Butler score with an interception before the offense’s shifted play-calling paid off.

Junior quarterback Brady Atkinson hit junior receiver Adrian Silver in stride with a 41-yard touchdown catch-and-run for a 7-3 lead. After Butler led 10-7, Thomas, a 1,000-yard rusher a year ago, scored on a 21-yard run. The defense provided the winning points on senior team captain Kameron Manley’s 30-yard pick-six.

Jones viewing himself as more than a running back helped the in-game shift. He blocked for Thomas on run plays and stayed in to pass protect for Atkinson.

“I can still contribute even if I’m not running the ball,” Jones said. “It was a great team win for us and helps with our confidence. We learned something about coming together as a team. We want to be a player-driven team. Coach (Rackley) tells us the players have to win the game.”

Part of Jones’ on-field maturity derived from overcoming doubt as a freshman on the varsity.

As the big kid on the block in his early years, he always played “up” in youth leagues against older opponents. Jones said his mother, Porchia Jones, and father, Carl McCormick, have been supportive throughout his youth football, basketball and track days.

“My mom gives me encouraging words or something to read,” Jones said. “I’ll reflect on it to get back in the right mindset.”

But high school as a freshman practicing and playing against seniors proved more challenging.

“At the beginning of my freshman year, I was struggling,” he said. “My mom noticed I was quiet and not myself. She gave me a Tim Tebow book.”

Jones began to read the 2007 Heisman Trophy winner’s 2016 book: “Shaken: Determining Your True Identity in the Midst of Life’s Struggles.” He finished his freshman year second on the team in rushing with 65 carries for 442 yards and two touchdowns.

After his junior season, he attracted recruiting interest as a 3-star prospect with offers from N.C. State, Boston College, Navy, N.C. Central and Columbia of the Ivy League.

The other schools, though, didn’t really have a chance. Jones wanted to stay home for his family. He attended N.C. State’s camp on June 16 under the watchful eyes of running backs coach Todd Goebbell and head coach Dave Doeren.

“Coach Goebbell was encouraging me at the camp,” Jones said. “I could see they were interested in me. After the camp, Coach Doeren invited me up to his office and offered me. He said he thought I was the right candidate. I wanted to tell him then I was coming, but I felt I should wait.”

One week later, he made it official.

“I can train harder and not worry about finding a school,” Jones said. “I can focus on me as a player.”

Defenses picking their poison — Mr. Inside, Mr. Outside or the passing game — is a challenge Rolesville presents.