Interview: 4-Star 2023 All-American California DB RJ Jones Updates Workouts
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Thrust into the fire of playing against California varsity competition as a freshman, Ronald “RJ” Jones II answered the call. During the 2019 high school football season, from Game 1 Jones proved to be that playmaker for Bishop Alemany. During the 9-3 run for the Warriors, Jones ended 43 plays, 22 solo, with four interceptions, and three passes broken up earning MaxPreps second team All-American honors as a free safety. With those honors, the 6-1, 187-pound, defender has added four-star recruiting status and 15 scholarship offers.
Through California’s extended offseason preparing for the 2020 football schedule to begin, Jones has been hard at work putting his skills to the test. For an update on his workouts and recruiting process, the Los Angeles area talent sat down for an RNG interview.
Interview
RJ, the Warriors’ coaching staff put a lot of faith in you during your freshman season, and you delivered. How did that 11-game varsity season help build your football IQ putting you far ahead of your peer group?
It helped a lot with my IQ. We played a single-high safety a lot. They put me in a position to succeed, and I made the most of my opportunities.
Playing free safety in a one-high scheme is an aggressive approach, and only works if the safety can get the job done. Being put in that role, how did your skills improve throughout the 2019 season?
I want to say my coverage improved a lot, but my tackling improved the most. Being back there, you have to make the one-on-one tackle. I did a good job of doing that.
You got four of them, but getting that first pick had to be extra sweet. Against which team did you take away your first pass at the varsity level?
My first pass interception was against Jordan High School in our first game of the season.
And the legend grows. First game, coming away with a pick. That’s great.
Thank you
Going into the offseason, what did you feel were the strengths to your game as a defender?
Going into the offseason I felt one of my strengths was covering a lot of ground as a safety. This offseason I want to build up more strength and more speed for myself.
Throughout this extended offseason, what have you been working on as a defensive back?
As a defensive back, I have been working on my speed and explosiveness.
When the 2020 season gets going, what roles are you taking on with Alemany?
I think the coaches want me to play offense. This year I will have someone back there at safety with me. We are going to a two-high safety set this year.
Guessing I know the answer to this one, but just in case. On offense, which position are you playing in 2020?
Receiver.
What have you been doing in preparation for that potential role at receiver?
I have been working with our quarterback throughout the weeks and during our practices, when we have them.
Which exercises have you been doing to increase your speed and agility this offseason?
I have been working out at District in Glendale. There I have been focusing more on my lower body and explosiveness.
Beyond the workouts, what have you been doing to stay on your game? Have you been playing 7v7 or club ball?
Yeah, I have been playing 7v7 with Premium. We just got back from Arizona on Monday.
How is playing 7v7 with Premium going?
It has been going good. We have played in two tournaments, we won both.
With the work put in on your skills this offseason, where are you showing that improvement playing 7v7?
My running, my speed, and my leadership.
Do you play any other varsity sports for Alemany?
I run track, but that was cancelled last season.
Let’s get into some recruiting. Which schools that you know of are showing recruiting interest?
I’m not sure. I have heard that Notre Dame and Texas are showing interest. Those two are the ones that I have heard the most about showing interest.
How many offers do you have?
I have 15 offers.
Nice. Which program was the first to offer you?
The first, the real first was BYU.
Which programs were the last couple to give you a scholarship?
The last two were Minnesota and Virginia Tech.
Jones’ Offer Sheet: Arizona State, Arkansas, Boston College, BYU, Colorado, Kansas, Minnesota, New Mexico, Oregon, Oregon State, USC, Virginia Tech, and Washington
When visits do get going again, are there any campuses you’d like to go see?
I’d like to see all the schools that have offered me. I don’t travel a lot, but I want to see all the college campuses.
RJ, it was great getting time in with you today getting an update on your workouts and recruiting process.
Thank you.
Photo credit: Jones family; RJ Jones