Baylor School linebacker Colton Jumper, right, has passed up a scholarship offer to UTC in favor of the Naval Academy.Seven days after first interacting with the Naval Academy, Baylor linebacker Colton Jumper committed to the Midshipmen on Sunday.
The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Jumper talked to Navy for the first time last Monday. He visited the campus in Annapolis, Md., over the weekend and committed Sunday, ultimately choosing Navy over the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
"I'd never really thought about [attending Navy] before they came in last Monday," Jumper, a two-time all-state player who had 132 tackles as a senior, said Monday. "I decided to go on the official [visit] and ended up really liking it. It just had so much to offer."
Jumper said he liked the idea of playing in the Football Bowl Subdivision, the chance to play teams such as Notre Dame and Army each season, plus Ohio State in 2014, and he liked what graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy would mean for his future.
"I just feel like it will set me up really well for after college," the Rivals.com two-star prospect said.
On the advice of his parents, Jumper held off on committing to the Mocs during his official visit two months ago. His parents encouraged him to wait and fully explore his options before making a commitment. Jumper did, taking multiple visits, including to Air Force and William & Mary.
Jumper said his high opinion of UTC and its players and coaches never changed.
"I have nothing but great things to say about UTC," he said. "It's not about what UTC couldn't offer; it's about what Navy could offer."
UTC has had mixed luck with Navy. The Mocs have lost a few recruits to the Midshipmen in recent years, but they've also signed some Navy transfers. National signing day is Wednesday.