Jarron Jones Loving OL & Using Notre Dame Degree

It's been an interesting ride over the last few years for Jarron Jones. 

The former Notre Dame defensive tackle standout moved to the offensive line almost immediately by New York Giants in 2017. 

It was a move Jones didn't want to make, but almost three years later, the left tackle for the XFL’s New York Guardians has embraced the move.

“I like it a lot," Jones stated. "The comradery of trying to be on the same page as four other guys and trying to get something done extensively as a unit - watching the offense get it done is satisfying. 

“The Dallas game, we scored 30 points. It was the first time we scored more than 20 points since the first game. It was satisfying. We played a part in that. I see why guys love playing offensive line because when I was a defensive lineman, I was so anti-offensive line and wondered how they do it. I love everything about it.” 

The 6-foot-6, 320-pounder had been in training camps or the practice squad with Buffalo, Dallas, New York (Giants) and Seattle, but could never get over the hump. 

The limited reps in preseason or practice weren't quite enough to get him as many live reps as he needed to fully grow into the position. 

Enter the XFL. 

“It helped me get more reps at offensive line," explained Jones. "That was the reason why I couldn’t crack a 53-man roster the past two years. I lacked experience.”

The XFL season might have only lasted five games due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but it provided Jones reps to develop and mold his game. 

“I’ve developed a lot because of the fact I’ve played whole games," said Jones. "There aren’t any subs on the offensive line like there is on the defensive line. With playing offensive line, it taught me the aspects of keeping focused every play throughout the game, executing my job and being more consistent. It’s taught me so much.

“I watched myself from the first game until our last game and I look so much more natural. I react accordingly to looks and different stunts that defenses might give me. I don’t have to think anymore and I’m going out there and just playing. The XFL has helped me get so much better and learn the game.” 

Jones speaks very highly of the XFL as it's benefited him and his future as he continues to work toward making an NFL roster. 

The XFL isn't just helping guys with position changes as Jones has seen it benefit many other guys looking for a chance at the NFL.

"It creates a lot more high-pressure situations for players to learn how to play through," Jones explained. “Coming from a D2, D3 or NAIA school, they don’t really get the big crowds and don’t face high-pressure situations of a close game. It exposes them to that. 

"I feel that’s one of the things that keeps people out of the NFL. People are faced with situations they haven’t dealt with in their football career in the NFL and end up folding or making costly mistakes, which ends up putting them out of a job." 

Speaking of jobs, Jones also has been using his Notre Dame degree as he's a private jet advisor for Vault Aviation, which is based out of Dallas. 

"It has benefited me a lot," Jones said of his degree. "The guys who run the company both graduated from Notre Dame in 2008. It was adding another connection and it reminded me how special the Notre Dame connection really is." 

The Notre Dame network has allowed Jones to find offseason work while also being flexible in letting him pursue his football dreams. 

“The fact I can be in Dallas, which is one place I never thought I would be living and to find a life through the fact of going to Notre Dame, is rewarding," said Jones.  “We work as a middle man for finding clients for private jets. 

"Business is booming right now, so I’m probably going to go back to work and make money in that business. The whole coronavirus stuff is making people trend to flying private.” 

What's next for Jones is unknown as the NFL league year starts this week and the XFL canceled the rest of the season. 

Jones isn't down. He's hopeful. 

“You look at this as another opportunity to put some film out there to get back to the show," said Jones. We got our names back out there to NFL scouts to get another shot at making another roster."