On 30 occasions this past fall, Allatoona running back Miles Jones found the end zone wearing the Buccaneers' familiar red and black jerseys.

Next fall, he could have the chance at continuing his scoring ways wearing another red-and-black set.

Jones committed to Jacksonville State on Monday, making his decision two days before National Signing Day.

"I really liked the coaches," said Jones of the northeast Alabama school, which plays out of the Ohio Valley Conference in the Football Championship Subdivision. "They were sincere in really wanting me. And I really loved the players that I met.'

Jones rushed for 2,142 yards last fall in leading Allatoona to its first undefeated regular season, region championship and two playoff victories. Five times, he cracked the 200-yard plateau - including a stretch of three games in a row that culminated with a season-high 255-yard, three-touchdown performance in against Franklin County in the first round of the Class AAA state playoffs.

This followed a junior season that saw Jones rush for 1,939 yards and 19 touchdowns.

Jones was a Class AAA all-state first-team honoree following each campaign.

But despite the gaudy numbers and the other factors behind him - a 4.47-second time in the 40-yard dash, and a 5-foot-10, 205-pound frame - Jones was unable to receive much of the big-school attention afforded to some of Cobb County's other players.

Georgia Tech and Maryland were the two Football Bowl Subdivision schools known to have shown the most interest to Jones. Kentucky initially made an offer to Jones after his junior year, but, to this point, has not followed up.

According to Jones, the last time he talked to the coaches from the FBS schools, he was informed that he was the No. 1 running back on Georgia Tech's recruiting board and the No. 3 back on Maryland's.

Jones then took an official visit to Georgia Tech in December and said that, if he was offered a scholarship, he would have likely committed on the Yellow Jackets on the spot. But nothing was presented, and Jones said he believed Georgia Tech was waiting to see if it would attract any junior-college transfers before extending Jones an offer.

While there is the possibility Georgia Tech, Maryland or both could call Jones between now and Wednesday, he said he has no second thoughts about his decision.

"I was surprised," Jones said about the lack of interest from FBS program. "I feel like I could play at that level, but it's not something I can control. All I can do is go and do the best I can."

Other schools that offered Jones included Georgia Southern, Charleston Southern, Valdosta State and Virginia Military.

Jones and teammate Bryson Brindle are set to become the first Allatoona football players to sign Division I scholarships. Brindle, a 6-2, 230-pound defensive end, committed to play at Presbyterian College, and FCS program in Clinton, S.C.

Brindle finished 2011 with 126 tackles - 76 solo - and six sacks. He joined Jones as a member of the Class AAA all-state first team.