Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
"Old man" Jones anxious for final go-round
8/29/2018 5:00:00 PM | Football
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Middle Tennessee's defensive line will benefit from a load of experience this season.
No one brings more of that than right end Jahmal Jones.
Dubbed the "old man" of the team, Jones is entering his fourth season on the field but sixth year in Murfreesboro as a Blue Raider.
You could say he's been around the block a few times with the blue and white, playing in 38 career games, which ranks one behind the team leaders.
"I obviously know a little bit more than the younger guys just because I've been around," Jones said.
His story started in 2013 as a true freshman. He would take a redshirt after arriving at MT as a two-star recruit (Rivals.com) from Norcross, Georgia, an outside linebacker only weighing around 215 pounds.
Prior to Jones' redshirt freshman year in 2014, head coach Rick Stockstill hired defensive line coach Tommy West, and that's when Jones' transition from linebacker to defensive end really took off.
"He was a redshirt freshman when I first came in, and he was at about 215 pounds," West said. "Now, he's at 250-255 and has turned into a really good player. He works at his game and is in better shape now than he's ever been. I also think he's better at rushing the passer right now than he's ever been."
Jones played in 12 games as a redshirt freshman and was primed to take a bigger role on Middle Tennessee's line as a sophomore, but an injury in the spring derailed those plans.
He was forced to miss the entire 2015 season with his second torn ACL and at the time thought his college career would end after two more years.
After coming back and playing in 13 games and making three starts as a junior in 2016, he had a career year last season, starting 12 contests and playing in all 13 while setting career highs with 33 tackles, 1.5 sacks, five TFLs and five hurries.
Then, after the season, Jones' was granted a special opportunity. He was permitted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA, giving him a chance to get on the field in 2018 to close his Blue Raider career.
"That was great knowing I could finish out my four years and play with this team one more year and put some more stats on my sheet," he said. "I was really grateful for it."
An ability to rush the quarterback flows through Jones' veins. His father, Marlon, was a defensive end who played four years in the NFL, spending time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Cleveland Browns.
Now, Jones' dad is almost like another coach.
"Every time I go home, he helps me on my fundamentals and tries to help me get to the quarterback," Jones said. "He really helps me do things nice and sound."
With his dad helping him learn the game, Jones first showed flashes of being a good pass rusher during his senior year of high school at storied Norcross High.
In 2012, the Blue Devils, led by Jones at outside linebacker, finished with a perfect 15-0 record, state title and No. 3 national ranking. It was their second state championship in a row.
That season, Jones registered 102 total tackles, 14.5 sacks and 45 TFLs. His most impressive performance came in a 21-14 win over Lovejoy in the state title game, where he finished with three TFLs despite playing with a torn ACL.
"It's a once-in-a-lifetime thing playing in a championship," he said. "It was hard to play with my knee, but I didn't want to pass on that chance.
"Luckily, I was able to make a couple of plays for my team."
While showing obvious grit and toughness have never been a problem for Jones, he's had to learn how to be an effective end at the college level.
He's gotten better each year he's been on the field, and this year feels primed to put it all together.
The "old man" said he just has to do one thing: "I just have to go out there and make plays, baby."
Josh Vardaman is the staff writer for goblueraiders.com. Follow him on Twitter @J_Vardaman and also follow @MTAthletics for more on the Blue Raiders.
No one brings more of that than right end Jahmal Jones.
Dubbed the "old man" of the team, Jones is entering his fourth season on the field but sixth year in Murfreesboro as a Blue Raider.
You could say he's been around the block a few times with the blue and white, playing in 38 career games, which ranks one behind the team leaders.
"I obviously know a little bit more than the younger guys just because I've been around," Jones said.
His story started in 2013 as a true freshman. He would take a redshirt after arriving at MT as a two-star recruit (Rivals.com) from Norcross, Georgia, an outside linebacker only weighing around 215 pounds.
Prior to Jones' redshirt freshman year in 2014, head coach Rick Stockstill hired defensive line coach Tommy West, and that's when Jones' transition from linebacker to defensive end really took off.
"He was a redshirt freshman when I first came in, and he was at about 215 pounds," West said. "Now, he's at 250-255 and has turned into a really good player. He works at his game and is in better shape now than he's ever been. I also think he's better at rushing the passer right now than he's ever been."
Jones played in 12 games as a redshirt freshman and was primed to take a bigger role on Middle Tennessee's line as a sophomore, but an injury in the spring derailed those plans.
He was forced to miss the entire 2015 season with his second torn ACL and at the time thought his college career would end after two more years.
After coming back and playing in 13 games and making three starts as a junior in 2016, he had a career year last season, starting 12 contests and playing in all 13 while setting career highs with 33 tackles, 1.5 sacks, five TFLs and five hurries.
Then, after the season, Jones' was granted a special opportunity. He was permitted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA, giving him a chance to get on the field in 2018 to close his Blue Raider career.
"That was great knowing I could finish out my four years and play with this team one more year and put some more stats on my sheet," he said. "I was really grateful for it."
An ability to rush the quarterback flows through Jones' veins. His father, Marlon, was a defensive end who played four years in the NFL, spending time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Cleveland Browns.
Now, Jones' dad is almost like another coach.
"Every time I go home, he helps me on my fundamentals and tries to help me get to the quarterback," Jones said. "He really helps me do things nice and sound."
With his dad helping him learn the game, Jones first showed flashes of being a good pass rusher during his senior year of high school at storied Norcross High.
In 2012, the Blue Devils, led by Jones at outside linebacker, finished with a perfect 15-0 record, state title and No. 3 national ranking. It was their second state championship in a row.
That season, Jones registered 102 total tackles, 14.5 sacks and 45 TFLs. His most impressive performance came in a 21-14 win over Lovejoy in the state title game, where he finished with three TFLs despite playing with a torn ACL.
"It's a once-in-a-lifetime thing playing in a championship," he said. "It was hard to play with my knee, but I didn't want to pass on that chance.
"Luckily, I was able to make a couple of plays for my team."
While showing obvious grit and toughness have never been a problem for Jones, he's had to learn how to be an effective end at the college level.
He's gotten better each year he's been on the field, and this year feels primed to put it all together.
The "old man" said he just has to do one thing: "I just have to go out there and make plays, baby."
Josh Vardaman is the staff writer for goblueraiders.com. Follow him on Twitter @J_Vardaman and also follow @MTAthletics for more on the Blue Raiders.
Players Mentioned
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