Go Time for Tony Jones Jr.

Sophomore running back Tony Jones Jr. will get to see the field in 2017 after redshirting a year ago. The 5-foot-11, 225-pounder spent the last year soaking in knowledge from his teammates, but the offseason was about learning the new playbook as the Irish transition to first year offensive coordinator Chip Long.

“I have learned from my older teammates and stuff,” Jones Jr. said on Saturday. “I have learned from their rights and wrongs. We got a new playbook, so I had to sit back and learn the playbook.

“All playbooks are tough to get a hand on at first, but now it’s like the back of my hand.”  

The Bradenton (Fla.) native went through the struggles of going from not coming off the field in high school to not playing at all as a freshman. His father, Tony Jones Sr., who played football in college and the arena league, told him to control what he could control in year one and the rest would fall into place.

“I didn’t really worry about it, to be honest,” stated Jones. “My dad told me to play hard and as good as I can.”

The former IMG Academy star might be Notre Dame’s most complete back despite not having played a down, and that’s by design. Jones loves the rock in his hand, but he also takes a lot of pride in the smaller details of the running back position.  

“Some defenses don’t see me as a receiving-type of back,” Jones said. “I can catch them off guard running my routes and stuff. I think that’s going to work to my advantage later on.”

Pass blocking is another small detail most running backs need time to develop in college. Jones arrived in South Bend with an upper hand in pass protection as there was a lot of pass blocking for current Ole Miss quarterback sensation, Shea Patterson, in IMG’s pass happy offense during his senior year.  

“I am focusing on my pass blocking right now because that’s the way to the league,” explained Jones. “Backs are separated by pass blocking and in the passing game. Pass blocking will help me stay in on third down too.

“In high school, our team was more of a passing offense. I had a little bit of pass blocking in my game, but here it’s different because it’s grown men. They know how to do moves, so you have to have good technique.”

Even though Jones might have been well-rounded in pass protection, it didn’t get him out from experiencing the difference between high school and college competition.

“My freshman year, I tried to pass block someone, and he ran right through me,” laughed Jones. “Someone said ‘Welcome to college.’ I was like ‘Yeah.’”

While Jones is talented on the field, his high school experience at IMG Academy has already paid off regarding being comfortable with the college environment.

“Going to IMG gets you a head start on other high school kids,” said Jones. “It’s a college schedule and college classroom environments. My transition here being away from home was easier than other guys.”

Jones did issue caution for some parents and players wanting to go to IMG Academy too soon.  

“I wouldn’t go there too early,” Jones said. “It’s good and bad. To go too early is too much for some kids. Too early would be eighth grade or ninth grade. They won’t get to have a childhood or a social life with their family because they won’t be with their family for like eight years if you combine high school and college.”