The Coffeyville product dominates with his size, yes. But his attitude shouldn’t be overlooked.

If you’ve watched a lot of high school game footage, you’re aware that it can be misleading. Division I athletes generally outperform their high school counterparts, surprising as that may be. Just ask Nate Edwards… he’ll gladly show you the footage to validate it.

The contrast in skill level is particularly noticeable at the offensive line position. To be straightforward: not only are Division I offensive line prospects more skilled, they’re also physically larger. Just compare the height and weight of some of the athletes committing to SEC schools nowadays with those playing at local D-II or NAIA schools, and you’ll see the disparity.

However, it’s always a plus when you can recruit a lineman who possesses more than just size and a bit of extra athletic ability. And boy, Keiton Jones certainly has more to offer.

I understand that I used the word “nasty” in the title because it’s in line with Mizzou Football’s brand. However, there’s something about the way Keiton Jones conducts himself in this video that feels too cold and forceful to be accurately described as “nasty.” He’s not merely dominating opponents and showing off; he’s overpowering them and swiftly moving on to the next.

Jones’s rapid acceleration from the line of scrimmage is remarkably impressive, particularly in how he can quickly engage his hands and destabilize defensive linemen. Whenever the quarterback prepares to hand off the ball, the running back can rely on a hole roughly 4 feet wide as Keiton Jones has just finished uprooting two opposing defenders and planting them six feet deep into the nearby turf. His ability to move north-south is highly notable for a player of his size, and I’m curious to see how that will translate to lateral movement once the strength and conditioning staff works with him.

Where He Fits: Much of Jones’s footage shows him playing on the perimeter, which is logical given his size and strength advantage over most opponents in Coffeyville, Kansas. However, it’s evident that Jones’s strengths align more with being an interior player, particularly excelling at run blocking. This is underscored by his designation as an interior prospect in On3, the organization that holds him in highest regard. Jones’s capacity to forcefully break through the defensive line and create substantial running lanes will be a valuable asset for whichever running back Eli Drinkwitz and Curtis Luper decide to rely on extensively that season. It’s reasonable to anticipate that Jones will be well-suited for a guard position on the side that needs him most.

When He’ll Play: As seasoned observers of the SEC know, freshmen offensive linemen rarely see playing time unless there are significant issues, or they are exceptionally talented. With ample returning experience for the 2025 season, it’s unlikely that Jones will see much action until at least 2026, unless he proves to be exceptionally gifted.

What It All Means: This signifies Mizzou’s commitment to maintaining a solid presence in the trenches. If Keiton Jones, a notably massive, swift, and forceful player, is the least highly rated offensive tackle being recruited in a high school class, then the team is clearly performing remarkably well in bolstering their ranks.

UPCOMING IN MIZZOU FOOTBALL RECRUITING Mizzou secures commitment from three-star offensive lineman prospect Keiton Jones Lamont Rogers, a highly regarded four-star offensive tackle, commits to Mizzou Football Mizzou Football gains commitment from four-star wide receiver Donovan Olugbode Highly anticipated news: 2025 Four-Star Wide Receiver Jayvan Boggs pledges commitment to Mizzou Football Mizzou Football anticipates a significant recruiting weekend Recruiting Recap: Mark Manfred possesses the physical dimensions and speed required to achieve a top-tier status