UGA offered a dual-threat quarterback for the Class of 2017 earlier this year.

That was South Florida standout N’Kosi Perry, who de-committed from Miami shortly thereafter. Perry later told DawgNation the decision was unrelated. UGA also did not continue to recruit Perry heavily after that offer despite a relationship in place with receivers coach James Coley.

That offer was a sign of things to come. Georgia is already considered a team to beat for Heard County four-star dual-threat Emory Jones in the Class of 2018. UGA offered him on Feb. 27. Jones will be back in Athens this weekend for his second trip since he got that offer.  

He’s rated as the nation’s No. 4 dual-threat passer for 2018. UGA has made him a priority at the position along with Cartersville five-star Trevor Lawrence. Lawrence is rated as the nation’s No. 1 overall prospect in his class. He also has UGA in his top group.

But that doesn’t faze Jones. Neither does the presence of five-star freshman Jacob Eason at UGA as an early enrollee. So if those guys don’t give him pause, it shouldn’t matter the program has a commitment from four-star junior Jake Fromm from Middle Georgia.

“I’m not really worried about that,” Jones said. “I’m just going to keep working hard and give it my best and see where it leads me.”

Why? Part of that is Jones loves to compete despite coming out of a small classification. Jones also told DawgNation he grew up a fan of the program and had a D.J. Shockley jersey.

Shockley was his favorite Bulldog growing up.

“I’ve always wanted that UGA offer,” Jones said. “I have always been a Georgia fan and it is that in-state offer and it was early. That just made it all the more exciting.”

The sophomore doesn’t have a top three or a top five yet, but said UGA and Tennessee are “up there” for him. He also hopes for offers from Clemson and Ohio State. He spoke to Tigers quarterbacks coach and recruiting coordinator Brandon Streeter last Friday.

He plans to visit Tennessee for its spring game and will be at UGA the following week.

Jones said UGA coach Kirby Smart told him he wants to find a mobile quarterback like the standout Clemson used to torch a great Alabama defense in the national championship game.

“He said that was tough trying to defend him and he really wanted to coach a quarterback like that,” Jones said.

Jones, like Lawrence, is also planning an early commitment.

“Probably the end of the summer,” he said.

The 6-foot-3, 190-pounder doesn’t have Mike Vick wheels, but can move the chains. He said his fastest time in the 40-yard dash was a 4.67.

“I really see myself as a pocket passer but I can run just to get out of there under pressure and still make plays,” he said.

The 15-year-old sophomore has always played quarterback. That goes back to his first practices and snaps when he was four years old.

“I love just being the leader on the field,” said Jones, who aims to study sports management in college.

What does he think about UGA offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Jim Chaney? He said Chaney is just cool and funny. His long hair is another topic of conversation. Jones said he’s been growing it out for three years and there is a Robert Griffin III influence with that.

5 things to know about Emory Jones

• The young man is tall. He was at the 6-foot-3 mark his freshman year. Expect him to keep growing if genetics have anything to do with it. He said his mother is 5-foot-11 and his father is 6-foot-6. Expect him to grow another couple of inches by 2018.  

• What does he play for? Jones said that his mother, Trina Jones, inspires him. He loves the game, but his mother pushes him hard every day to focus and be the best he can be. 

• His best highlight? Jones said it was a 70-yard ball off the run. He said that the ball covered 60 of those yards in the air. He said he can reach 70 yards with his max distance on his throws already.

• UGA was his most recent offer. Colorado State, Georgia Southern, Mississippi State and Tennessee have offered, as well. Jones is hearing from Tennessee a couple of times each week. He feels that program is recruiting him hard.

• Jones got to speak to Eason on a recent visit. “He was telling me I need to stay humble and come up there and talk to him and learn what he is learning and just chill.”

So thankful & blessed for this beautiful women I call my mother . Happy Birthday I love you ?? pic.twitter.com/UlVAWSibpN

— Emory Jones (@eXjones6) March 15, 2016

Unless otherwise indicated, player rankings and ratings are from the 247Sports Composite.

Jeff Sentell covers UGA football and UGA recruiting for AJC.com and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Follow him on Twitter for the latest on who’s on their way to play Between the Hedges.

Follow @JeffSentell_