An instinctive, quick-reacting defender who was one of the region’s most underrated linebackers last season, Jones is a physical tackler for the Westlake Lions who was an easy addition to the latest rankings update after his strong sophomore season in 2025. Jones brings a promising 6-foot-3 195-pound frame who shows above-average quickness and the ability to create chaos in the backfield. The South Fulton linebacker made an impressive 59 tackles with 12 TFLs and one sack to go along with another INT in coverage. He was a dependable defender in year two who should be even better as a junior in 2026.

Jones is growing into a pretty well-covered player by me, and it is a matter of time before his recruitment boils over nationally. He is a long, lean athlete who is very much a ball chaser right now. He can get after it, flashing his range while possessing the long strides to eat grass. He is an athletic second-level defender who has plenty of space to bulk up, which signals high upside. Jones is firmly on the P4 radar.

I actually wrote up Cortez Jones Cortez Jones 6'3" | 195 lbs | LB/ATH Westlake | 2028 State GA last week, so here is a look at what I had to say about him:

“This isn’t my first look at Jones, who popped on my radar late last fall. Since then, he has seen his stock rise over the last few months. Jones projects out as an LB and has a lot of space to add to his long, lean frame. He has the range and athletcism to play over a TE in the slot, or just slide out and play as a big nickel. He is plenty equipped speed-wise to run around the field, but he is a patient pursuer and leverages the ball carrier well in space. Plenty of tread on the tires here.”

This isn’t my first look at Jones, who popped on my radar late last fall. Since then, he has seen his stock rise over the last few months. Jones projects out as an LB and has a lot of space to add to his long, lean frame. He has the range and athletcism to play over a TE in the slot, or just slide out and play as a big nickel. He is plenty equipped speed-wise to run around the field, but he is a patient pursuer and leverages the ball carrier well in space. Plenty of tread on the tires here.

A sophomore linebacker on the rise at Westlake, Jones is an active, versatile defender who can line up in the back end or up closer to the line of scrimmage. He brings a lean but promising 6-foot-3 195-pound frame who can really chase down the ball-carrier. He flashes big-play ability with the potential to make any particular play in the backfield. He plays hard, knows how to tackle, and is bound for a gigantic junior season if he continues to develop and progresses over the next several months. The versatile, playmaking defender can easily play at the next level and should only see his recruitment pick up over time.