Fall Camp Spotlight: Jamarco Jones
8/19/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 19, 2016
Name: Jamarco Jones
Position: Offensive Tackle
Height: 6-5
Weight: 310
Hometown: Chicago, Ill.
High School: De La Salle
2015 Statistics: Appeared in 13 games backing up NFL first rounder Taylor Decker on the offensive line
by Dan Herbener, Ohio State Athletics Communications
The Ohio State offensive line had one constant over the past three seasons: Taylor Decker. Decker started 42 games for the Buckeyes, 28 at left tackle, and amassed numerous postseason awards including earning consensus All-American honors and being named the Big Ten’s Rimington-Pace Offensive Lineman of the Year in his senior season.
But as Decker was receiving accolades, his eventual replacement was learning from his every move. And now that Jamarco Jones is prepared to take over as the team’s blind side protector, he’s using the lessons he learned from Decker to his benefit.
“(Taylor) has an incredible work ethic, in the weight room and on the practice field,” Jones said. “He taught me how to go hard every snap and every rep in the weight room and I was able to learn a lot from watching him.”
The 6-5 junior from Chicago is wise to get to work right away. Despite what appears to be pretty big shoes to fill, Jones knows that expectations from the coaching staff will not change as he slides into this spot.
“The coaches talk about it a lot, about not having any drop off from where the play was last year,” explained Jones. “Taylor was a great player and I am just trying to take what I learned from him and make sure there is no gap between my level of play and his from last year.”
Jones is the third most experienced offensive lineman for the Buckeyes, behind only two-year starters Pat Elflein and Billy Price. New offensive line coach Greg Studrawa sees that the 310-pound junior is quickly settling in to his new home and already ahead of the curve.
“When the game starts and the bullets start flying and we start going against the ones in practice, he’s very calm, cool and collected,” Studrawa said. “He’s very tough, he’s physical, he knows what’s going on. You can tell he’s been in there a little bit. He’s a little further ahead poise-wise and maturity-wise than other guys.”
The praise has come with reward, as head coach Urban Meyer announced out of spring practice that the junior will be the starting left tackle. However, despite already knowing he will be a part of the 2016 Buckeyes plans, Jones is adamant on staying hungry and showing that he’s the right man for the job.
“It was a great feeling knowing the coaches had enough confidence to name me a starter,” Jones explained. “But you can’t ever stop looking over your shoulder here. You can’t rest on that success. You have to keep getting better and keep proving yourself.”
