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The Daily OrangeFB | Cornerback recruit Jones hoping for chance at running back
By Kevin Ware
Posted: 4/8/08, 11:01 PM EST Section: Sports
Mike Jones must be wondering where he fits in Syracuse's backfield plans next season.
After all, the running back position should be by far the deepest for the Orange. Curtis Brinkley and Delone Carter are both slated to return from injuries. Sophomore Doug Hogue and highly touted freshman Averin Collier will also compete for time.
Despite the deep depth chart, Jones is more than happy to fight for his time at running back.
Though he's listed by Scout.com as a cornerback recruit for the Orange, the 5-foot-11, 205-pound recruit from Bishop McDevitt High School in Harrisburg, Pa., will be given a good look in the backfield, where he made a name for himself in high school.
"I talked to the (Syracuse) coaches just a week or two ago, and they seem to think he can come in and at least compete (in the backfield)," said Jeff Weachter, Jones' coach at Bishop McDevitt. "… I think they're looking at him more as a running back."
Many high school athletes play quarterback or running back in high school only to switch positions in college, and there is pressure on Jones to do the same. But the primary reason he chose Syracuse was because he wants to be a running back, Weachter said.
In his senior season at Bishop McDevitt, Jones rushed the ball 173 times for a whopping 1,390 yards (an average of 8.04 yards per carry) while scoring 21 touchdowns.
However, Jones was primarily recruited as a cornerback because of an injury-plagued junior season - arguably the biggest year for a player being recruited by colleges. Before the season started, Jones went to a Penn State football camp during which he rolled an ankle and was never the same afterward, Weachter said. Despite playing through the pain, Jones suffered from turf toe and other nagging injuries.
Multiple attempts to reach Jones for comment were unreturned.
"What happened was his junior year he was nicked up most of the year and was never healthy," Weachter said. "He didn't have a great year running the ball; he played more defense and only had about 600 yards rushing as a junior. So not a lot of people took a good look at him as a running back as a junior."
After all, the running back position should be by far the deepest for the Orange. Curtis Brinkley and Delone Carter are both slated to return from injuries. Sophomore Doug Hogue and highly touted freshman Averin Collier will also compete for time.
Despite the deep depth chart, Jones is more than happy to fight for his time at running back.
Though he's listed by Scout.com as a cornerback recruit for the Orange, the 5-foot-11, 205-pound recruit from Bishop McDevitt High School in Harrisburg, Pa., will be given a good look in the backfield, where he made a name for himself in high school.
"I talked to the (Syracuse) coaches just a week or two ago, and they seem to think he can come in and at least compete (in the backfield)," said Jeff Weachter, Jones' coach at Bishop McDevitt. "… I think they're looking at him more as a running back."
Many high school athletes play quarterback or running back in high school only to switch positions in college, and there is pressure on Jones to do the same. But the primary reason he chose Syracuse was because he wants to be a running back, Weachter said.
In his senior season at Bishop McDevitt, Jones rushed the ball 173 times for a whopping 1,390 yards (an average of 8.04 yards per carry) while scoring 21 touchdowns.
However, Jones was primarily recruited as a cornerback because of an injury-plagued junior season - arguably the biggest year for a player being recruited by colleges. Before the season started, Jones went to a Penn State football camp during which he rolled an ankle and was never the same afterward, Weachter said. Despite playing through the pain, Jones suffered from turf toe and other nagging injuries.
Multiple attempts to reach Jones for comment were unreturned.
"What happened was his junior year he was nicked up most of the year and was never healthy," Weachter said. "He didn't have a great year running the ball; he played more defense and only had about 600 yards rushing as a junior. So not a lot of people took a good look at him as a running back as a junior."
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