Nate Jones looks built for exactly what he does. He’s fast, he’s violent, and he knows how to use those long arms to keep offensive linemen from ever getting too comfortable on him. That combination of speed, strength, and length is rare enough on its own, but what really makes him stand out is how naturally it all fits the position. He doesn’t feel like an athlete being forced into a role. He feels tailor-made for it. The production makes that obvious, but even before you get to the numbers, the play style tells the story. He can win with quickness, he can win by long-arming guys and getting off blocks, and once he gets a lane, he closes in a hurry. There’s a real chaos element to his game. He’s not just collecting cleanup sacks after somebody else breaks the pocket. He’s the one creating the problem. What makes him even more interesting is the broader athleticism. When he touches the ball on offense, you can see how unusual the movement skills are for a body like that. He’s fast in a way that changes angles, and he’s still hard to bring down because there’s real power behind it. That pure athleticism is part of why I’m so high on him as a pass rusher. As effective as he is now, I still think he’s no where near his ceiling.

At 6’3” and 230 pounds, this hybrid DE/OLB is a dynamic defensive playmaker with the speed and range to impact every snap. He has racked up 9.5 sacks, 19.5 tackles for loss, and 68 total tackles while showing the ability to disrupt both the run and the pass. Plays with a competitive edge and a downhill/attacking mindset on every snap. Quick off the edge, he can beat blockers with burst and agility, closing gaps and tracking ball carriers sideline to sideline with ease. Versatile in his approach, he combines natural athleticism with strong technique, using a mix of hands, leverage, and pass-rush moves to separate from blockers and make plays in the backfield. A true difference-maker with high upside, he’s already attracting major attention, earning offers from Colorado State, Nevada, and Northern Arizona. Ranked as one of the top defensive prospects in the PRZ 2027 rankings.

The 2027 hybrid OLB/Edge Rusher out of Notre Dame is 5A’s top returning sack leader after finishing the 2024 season with 13.5 sacks. At 6’2” 225 lbs. he’s quick off the ball and consistently beats blockers with a diverse arsenal of moves to collapse the pocket. He plays with power and leverage at the POA and is relentless in pursuit of the QB. A D1 prospect that has already landed offers from Colorado State, Nevada, and NAU. Ranked as the #47 overall player in the 2027 state rankings and is on the shortlist of prospects to again lead the division in multiple stat categories.

Get ready for 2027 Defensive Lineman Nathan Jones Nathan Jones 6'3" | 230 lbs | DL/EDGE Desert Edge | 2027 State AZ to be a game wrecker on this Notre Dame Prep defense. His numbers from his sophomore season are absurd, as he finished with 71 total tackles, 50 of those as solo tackles, 13 sacks, 18 TFLs, 2 forced fumbles, and 5 pass deflections. The first thing you should know about Jones is that he is a competitor, constantly seeking to compete at a high level in whatever he does. Lining up on the edge, he can beat his opponents in a plethora of ways. His bull rush is his signature as he uses his long arms to plow linemen right into the lap of the quarterback. He can also beat you with speed, as he has great twitchiness and short-area quickness to separate past blockers. His ability to finish on the quarterback is his best trait, as he consistently seeks to create turnovers or bring down the opposing signal-caller with emphasis in the dirt. Jones’ game speaks for itself. If he can elevate his game even further in his junior season, he will not only be one of the best defenders in the state but also one of the best in the country.

2027 Defensive Lineman Nathan Jones Nathan Jones 6'3" | 230 lbs | DL/EDGE Desert Edge | 2027 State AZ proved he has more athletic traits than just his rushing ability. Some of his notable times included a 4.8 40-yard dash, 4.72 shuttle, an 8.6 broad jump, and a 7.72 3-cone drill. He’s a lengthy athlete with long arms and a flexible frame that allows him to bend and corner to the quarterback in his rushes. However, he did take one-on-one reps against receivers at the camp, some at even the cornerback position. He covered tons of ground on the field and was able to display good closing speed on the ball for an incompletion. Jones is a clear competitor and multi-faceted athlete who will be a thrilling watch for the next season.

Nathan Jones Nathan Jones 6'3" | 230 lbs | DL/EDGE Desert Edge | 2027 State AZ earned the title of Dog of the Day without question — and it wasn’t just because of what he did in his natural position. He’s an edge rusher by trade, but at this combine, he made it a point to jump into reps wherever help was needed, even lining up to cover some of the twitchiest receivers on the field. That alone speaks volumes about the type of competitor he is. From the start of the day to the final whistle, Nathan didn’t coast through anything. He hustled through drills, stayed engaged, and treated every moment like it mattered. One of the coaches running the event gave him a well-deserved shoutout for his willingness to step into a role totally outside his comfort zone. But what stuck with me even more was how willing he was to continue taking on that challenge — no complaints, no hesitation. He’d finish a rep, jog off, hear a coach say they needed a body for the next one, and before the sentence was even done, he was back on the field. That level of selflessness, grit, and energy makes Nathan the kind of player every coach wants in their program. It’s not just about the talent — it’s about the mindset. And his is built for football. 

The hybrid DE/OLB out of Notre Dame has a breakout sophomore season totaling 71 tackles (50 solo), 18.5 TFL, four forced fumbles, and led the 2027 class with 13.5 sacks. At 6’3” 220 lbs. he possesses a well-rounded skillset that blends his length, athleticism, and technique to be a force as a run stopper and pass rusher. Explosive out of his stance to beat blockers to the spot and either collapse the pocket or close a gap. Good command and usage of a variety of moves, can long arm, spin, chop/rip, or swim to work off blocks. Strong at the POA, he plays with leverage and natural strength to accelerate through contact and finish opponents to the ground. High ceiling prospect with tons of upside and potential to build on. First three college offers came in this week from Colorado State, Nevada, and Northern Arizona with many more on the way.

Another player on the Notre Dame Prep defense that has an impessive frame, Nathan Jones Nathan Jones 6'3" | 230 lbs | DL/EDGE Desert Edge | 2027 State AZ uses his long arms to consistently win against even bigger linemen. A player who came into the game with 3.5 sacks, he was applying pressure and practiaclly living in the backfield throughout the night.