Interview: 2019 Arkansas DB Donte Jones Gives Insight to Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks Commitment

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

The 2017 season was a breakthrough year for defensive back Donte Jones. The Bentonville High School standout helped the Tigers to a 10-3 record with a run to Arkansas’ 7A state title game proving he could help stop the run and disrupt opposing aerial attacks with an estimated stat line of 45 tackles and 10 passes broken up. The 5-11, 173-pound, athlete also starred for Bentonville’s track team and in the classroom where he carries a 3.5 GPA and netted a super score of 21 on the ACT. With a big senior season ahead, and two offers on the table from Tennessee-Martin and Arkansas-Pine Bluff, on August 1, Jones verbally committed to UT-Martin putting the pressures of recruiting behind him to focus on helping the Tigers make another 7A title game run.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with one of the best defensive backs in the Natural State to learn more about his commitment to the Skyhawks while receiving a quick Tigers’ fall camp update.

*Click link for March 13, 2018, RNG interview with Donte Jones

Interview

Donte, first thing first, congratulations on your commitment to Tennessee-Martin.

“Thank you.”

Before you committed to UT-Martin, what had the overall recruiting process been like for you?

“It was good, but it was also hard. I put in a lot of hard work getting there to get those first two offers.”

How did the relationship with the Skyhawks football staff develop with you over time?

“The corners coach, Coach Dominque Bowman, he coached me at a camp at War Memorial Stadium (Little Rock) and he coached me again at a Mega Memphis Camp; that is how they had offered me. My parents and I liked him a lot. Coach (Travis) Partridge (quarterbacks), he was the recruiting guy for our area, he kept in contact with us.”

When did you start thinking this was the school for you?

“My parents and I talked about it a lot. We weighed out the pros and cons and we came to the decision that would be better for me and my family.”

When did you commit to the staff and which coach on staff got that phone call?

“We talked to Coach Partridge and Coach Bowman and the head coach, Coach (Jason) Simpson called me. I committed on Wednesday.

How did you feel just before you made that call?

“I was excited. I wasn’t nervous at all.”

How did the coaches respond to your commitment?

“They were all excited, especially the cornerbacks coach, he is the one that liked me and got me the offer.”

Which position are they recruiting you to play?

“I’m not sure. At first it was at safety, but the cornerbacks coach told me that he wanted me for corner. I know I can play both.”

I know it is really early after your commitment, but have you set an official visit date yet?

“No. We have not set up one yet. I went there for the spring game so I am familiar with the campus and facilities.”

When you visited, what were your overall thoughts on the campus and facilities?

“I thought it was really nice there. They have a box above the bleachers, it was nice. Overall it was a really nice area.”

Are you going to help recruit players to join you in Martin?

“If the chance comes up, I will encourage them to commit to UT-Martin.”

Let’s talk a little football. How have your summer workouts gone?

“My summer have been good, but long. I have been working out every day. I am ready to play football.”

When do the Tigers start fall practices?

“We started on Monday.”

What is the schedule like for fall camp?

“We have two-a-days right now. We go from 7:00 to 10:00, break until 1:00, and go until 3:00. We do that for two weeks, I think. I am not too sure on how long we do two-a-days. We practice on Saturday in full-pads but do not have two-a-days then.”

How is the team looking?

“I think our defense is really good. We play fast. We have a lot of potential on offense.”

Which team do you open the season with this year?

“We play Midwest City (Oklahoma) at home.”

Do you have a message for them and for all the other teams on the schedule this season?

“We play some big teams this year, I would say not to sleep on us because we are a school out of Arkansas.”

*Bentonville also plays Aledo High School (Texas) in Shreveport at the Independence Bowl on Sept. 8.

Donte, again, congratulations on your commitment and good luck with the rest of fall camp.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Jones family; Donte Jones at UT-Martin