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The Daily OrangeFB | Jones to return for senior year; Williams re-enrolls
By Matt Gelb and Tyler Dunne
Posted: 1/13/09, 2:37 AM EST Section: Sports
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Jones, reached by phone on Dec. 23, told The Daily Orange he made his decision after meeting with new SU head coach Doug Marrone four or five times. ?
"I have faith in this new coach," Jones said.?
Jones said he spoke with numerous agents and scouts who told him he could be a second-round pick in this year's NFL draft. That, he said, can wait.
?"The NFL isn't going anywhere," Jones said. "This gives me a chance to get my degree."?
Jones, the only Syracuse player chosen first-team all-Big East, had 60 tackles and 13 for a loss in 2008, a year after recording 17.5 tackles for a loss as a sophomore. He is sixth on Syracuse's all-time tackles for a loss leaders, 19 behind Dwight Freeney's school record of 50.5. ?
But Jones said his decision was made with Syracuse in mind. He said he has spoken with his teammates and the general consensus is positive after the hiring of Marrone and the staff he continues to bring in.?
"He seems like he's very confident that he'll get it turned in the right direction," Jones said. He also said he noticed that Marrone made it a priority to lock his talent defensive tackle up.
Jones hails from Endicott, N.Y. His younger brother, Chandler, is a freshman defensive end, and the two brothers live together.?
"I just signed my first recruit," Marrone said in a statement. "My goal when I arrived was to make sure the juniors wanted to be part of this plan to win. My plan is not to rebuild. My plan is to win. The only way we will win is to reach the players here on campus. We are not going to win this coming season with the first recruiting class, we are going to do that with the players who are here in this program."?
Jones said he was already "sick" of the process leading up to the NFL draft and that he wanted to "finish what he started" at Syracuse.
?"I know," Jones said, "in my heart, I love Syracuse to death."
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Williams Re-Enrolls
Mike Williams is re-enrolled at Syracuse, the Syracuse athletics department confirmed Monday. The Orange's standout wide receiver was suspended by the university in July after allegations of academic cheating.
Williams missed the entire 2008 football season, and attended Springfield (Mass.) Technical Community College instead. At the school, he earned high enough grades to return to SU. Rather than transfer to a Division I-AA school as a bridge toward the NFL Draft - as many anticipated - Williams is back at Syracuse to finish his degree.
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