Interview: 3-Star 2021 Louisiana LB Andrew Jones Building Off 140-Tackle Season
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The blur with No. 3 patched on the chest and back for John Ehret High School during the 2019 season was Andrew Jones (6-1, 210). That streak of 4.48 speed to the pigskin was instrumental in the Patriots 8-3 season against 5A Louisiana competition accounting for 142 stops, three interceptions, three pass breakups, five forced fumbles, three sacks, and two blocked punts with one touchdown. The 140-plus tackles are beyond impressive, but layered within the stats is something even more eye-popping – 98 solo stops and 61 tackles for a loss. The talent and versatility of the three-star recruit has brought 13 offers to the doorstep of the New Orleans product with interest continuing to rise.
In an RNG first-look, Jones steps into the Lab to talk about his All-District and Junior of the Year All-District season with an update on his potential college visits this summer.
Interview
Andrew, you came up big in the box for the Patriots last season. From your sophomore to junior season, what were the biggest differences in your overall game?
“My sophomore year, honestly, I was scared. Everyone was bigger than me. I was 170-something pounds and everyone else was 220 or 215. I was thinking I am going to get pulverized. In 2019, I felt like I was the best on the field; I was not scared. My whole mindset changed.”
What defensive set did you guys run last season?
“A 4-3 over under.”
As an inside linebacker, what were your roles within the scheme?
“They had me playing everywhere, inside linebacker, outside linebacker, nickelback, and defensive back. In the scheme, I was going from a middle linebacker to a 9-tech and nickelback. It all depends on the offense and what they were doing. They could put me anywhere knowing I would get it done. They would have put me on offense last season but we had too many seniors.”
After all the experience garnered in 2019, what do you now feel are the strengths to your game as a linebacker?
“My speed and vision. I see things before they happen – it is ridiculous. At linebacker, once the quarterback gets the ball everything moves in slow motion. I react, I don’t think about it. I just go.”
Once the 2020 season kicks off, what roles will you have with the Patriots?
“This season, I am playing running back, receiver, tight end, linebacker, and safety.”
Wow. Given all that you will do, what have you been working on this offseason?
“My footwork, staying in shape, and my hips. I need to open my hips easier to stay on the shifty receivers.”
Let’s talk about your speed. What is the fastest 40-yard dash time you’ve posted?
“4.48 at a camp. My slowest was a 4.51.”
At which camp?
“The Under the Radar Camp in Texas. At a Rivals combine, I was at a 4.5-flat.”
Going into the weight room, what are your maxes?
“On squat I maxed 475, on bench 255, and on clean 225.”
With the disruption from the normal workouts, what has been your daily routine to stay in shape?
“Running on the treadmill at the house. I run five miles, do 150 push-ups in one session, and 75 curls in that session at 4:30. Then I do 200 push-ups, run two miles, and 180 curls at 7:00. My dad is a gym freak. It is mandatory.”
All of that working out will come in handy once we all get going again.
“Yes, it will.”
Once the college camp season gets going, are there any camps you are eying?
“Alabama, I went there last year, LSU, and Tennessee.”
Keeping with recruiting, which schools are showing interest?
“That is a big list; Mississippi State, LSU, Miami, Wake Forest, Missouri, Texas Longhorns, Texas A&M, Utah, Indiana, Yale, Penn State, Louisiana Tech, Michigan, Colorado, and Georgia – I talked to them recently. Michigan State and Colorado have been on me since the middle of my sophomore year.”
How many offers are you holding?
“Thirteen.”
Jones’ Offer Sheet (13): Arkansas State, Florida State, Hawaii, Houston, Kansas, Louisiana, Louisiana-Monroe, Louisville, Memphis, Nicholls State, Ole Miss, SMU, and Texas Tech
Dating back to last season, which programs have you visited?
“The only one was to Florida State. The following week after FSU I was supposed to visit ULL (Louisiana), Memphis, Kentucky, ULM (Louisiana-Monroe) – a lot of places. My whole March was stacked up.”
The visit to FSU, how did that go?
“It was wonderful. Their campus was ridiculous. Everything about it was good.”
Since you had so many planned visits in March, which schools might you visit this summer if possible?
“We will be going to Louisville officially. Louisville will be my first official visit. I will visit Mississippi State unofficially, Ole Miss on an unofficial, Miami and Florida on unofficial visits too. I want to visit Colorado State, Michigan, and Georgia too.”
You will be busy this summer. Beyond football, what other sports do you compete in at John Ehret?
“This year, I was supposed to run track but this situation happened. I will play baseball next year. Last spring I was playing but football visits got in the way. There was not enough time at practice.”
Understood. This last question is my virus buster question. What have you been doing during your downtime to keep active?
“My dad, he’s a very productive entrepreneur. He finds things for us to do. We are at his photography studio making hand sanitizer.”
That’s interesting. What volume of hand sanitizer are you guys making?
“We sell about 200 three ounce bottles every day.”
Impressive. Andrew, thanks for your time today and good luck with the rest of your workouts this spring.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Jones family; Andrew Jones at Florida State