Better Know A Buckeye is our look at every member of Ohio State’s 2025 recruiting class and how they became Buckeyes as they prepare to begin their OSU careers this fall.
Lifelong friends DeShawn Stewart and De'Zie Jones did their best to be teammates for as long as possible. The pair played together when they were five years old in youth football and then again throughout high school - the type of friendship that continued to grow.
When Stewart committed to Ohio State, it was only right that Jones, the No. 51 wide receiver (No. 368 overall) in the 2025 class, would eventually be a Buckeye as well.
De'Zie Jones
- Size: 5-10/185
- Position: WR
- School: DePaul Catholic (Wayne, New Jersey)
- 247Sports Composite: ★★★★
- Composite Rank: #51 WR
- Overall Rank: #368
How He Became a Buckeye
Ohio State had been interested in Jones for quite some time, as the Buckeyes offered him back on Sept. 28, 2023.
But that interest rapidly grew when Jayvan Boggs decommitted from OSU in late March of 2024. Four days later and less than 24 hours after Stewart committed to the Buckeyes, Jones committed to Ohio State on March 30, 2024, becoming the first wide receiver to commit to OSU in the cycle. He was also the third member of the 2025 class to commit to the Buckeyes during that weekend.
The biggest reason he chose Ohio State was because of Brian Hartline and OSU's stacked group of wideouts.
“What made me want to become a Buckeye was the opportunity to learn from the experienced wide receivers that are there already and alumni that can teach me more about the school," Jones said about his commitment. "They have produced the best receivers over the years and I feel like I’ll be developed the best by that school. I trust the coaches and love the culture over there and the tempo of how they practice.”
Jones picked the Buckeyes over the likes of Penn State, Florida, Michigan State, Nebraska and Texas, among others.
High School Years
As a sophomore, Jones set a school record with 1,003 receiving yards in a single season, making quite a name for himself in his first season as a full-time starter.
Dez Jones is a cheat code for DePaul.
— Varsity Aces (@VarsityAces) September 1, 2023
Gain of 15 on third and 12 pic.twitter.com/Hw8QDMNrLx
He followed that by totaling 52 receptions for 851 yards and six touchdowns for DePaul Catholic.
Jones finished his high school career by adding 64 catches for 1,069 yards and 15 touchdowns in 12 games during his final high school season.
A phenomenal catch by De'zie Jones, the Ohio State commit and teammate of #NotreDame WR commit Elijah Burress.
— Kevin Sinclair (@KevinSinclair_) November 23, 2024
The four-star recruit makes these snags in routine fashion. @Bill_Kurelic pic.twitter.com/0fCgaAQOCL
He caught 50-plus passes in each of the last three seasons throughout his high school career, one in which he showed off his impressive route-running and ability to get open against any defensive backs. And when he wasn't getting open and catching passes, he was a willing blocker for his teammates as well.
Immediate Impact
Better Know A Buckeye
With the two-deep at wide receiver pretty much solidified for the 2025 season, especially starters Jeremiah Smith, Carnell Tate and Brandon Inniss, Jones' first year in Columbus will be focused on developing off the field and improving his game in practice, something that he already began to do during the spring as an early enrollee.
"I feel like I've made a big improvement (this spring)," Jones said in the week leading up to the spring game. "From going against BIA, Coach (Hartline) and Coach (Devin) Jordan, and getting better. All the other guys helped me out. So, I feel like I'm definitely getting better."
Long-Term Impact
As Jones alluded to when he committed to Ohio State, the Buckeyes' wide receiver room is stacked year in and year out. That's what makes it the best in the country. That said, it will also make things tough for Jones in terms of finding legitimate playing time, especially early on as a Buckeye. He realizes that, though, and knows that he must put in the work to earn snaps.
"It's a big step, it definitely holds a lot," Jones said of joining Ohio State’s wide receiver room. "It's definitely a big dream of mine, and I'm blessed to be here."
Projected to be a slot receiver at Ohio State, Bryson Rodgers will likely be the backup behind Inniss in 2025 before taking over as the starter in 2026, which means Jones' first chance to be on the two-deep will be in his second season in Columbus. That said. If the 5-foot-10, 285-pound wideout perfects his craft off the field, though, he could realistically be part of the rotation as a sophomore before potentially becoming a starter as a junior.
While it will take Jones some time to fully develop and reach his ceiling, that ceiling also gives Ohio State plenty to work with and get excited about, too.
Player Comparison: K.J. Hill
Hill was never known for his speed, but his pristine route-running and ability to be a do-it-all wide receiver at Ohio State made him a player that the Buckeyes could always rely on. In four seasons at OSU, the 6-foot, 196-pounder totaled 201 catches for 2,332 yards and 20 touchdowns before becoming a seventh-round pick in the 2020 NFL draft.
Jones' versatility and willingness to make plays, whether he has the ball in his hands or not should remind many Ohio State fans of the former Buckeye. It will just take the freshman some time, but he could potentially have the same type of college career that Hill once had if he is willing to put in the work.
