Interview: 2018 Arkansas 3-Star OT Luke Jones Leaving Trail of Pancake Blocks to Fourth 5A State Title

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

Pulaski Academy High School has soared to new heights under head coach Kevin Kelley becoming one of the dominating teams in the Natural State on the gridiron. The Bruins have won three consecutive Arkansas 5A titles behind a relentless spread offense that seemingly scores at will putting pressure on the opposition not only to stop them but to also keep up on the scoreboard. The Bruins have been blessed with fantastic talent on both sides of the ball during their run and return another roster filled with Division-I talent, a roster that includes standout Class of 2018 offensive tackle Luke Jones.

Apropos that Jones plays on a squad with a Bruin as the mascot. Unlike in fables, this bruin is true to the word mauling opposing defensive ends, tackles, corners, and safeties on a myriad of designed blocking schemes set by PA’s coaches to get their 6-6, 294 pound, monster to blow open holes and running lanes for their tailbacks. With Jones helping anchor the line, Pulaski Academy has posted a 27-1 record over the past two seasons with their lone loss coming last year to East High School (37-23), the eventual Utah state champions; ranked No. 1 in the state of Utah and No. 23 nationally by MaxPreps.

With talents like quarterback Layne Hatcher, receiver Trajen Johnson, running back RJ Anderson, and tight end/receiver Hudson Henry returning at the skill positions, Jones will be the key in the trenches to help the Bruins capture a fourth consecutive title. The road will not be easy with a season opening slate that includes Bryant (Arkansas 7A), Page (Sand Springs, OK), Ridgeway (Memphis, TN), and Parkway (Bossier City, LA), but all monies will be on Jones and company for a four-peat.

Jones heads into the tough 2017 schedule as one of Arkansas’ top Class of 2018 offensive linemen. After being honored with back-to-back first team All-Conference awards, Jones has received nine next level honors with scholarship offers from Louisiana-Monroe, Dartmouth, Texas State, Princeton, Ouachita Baptist, Samford, Yale, Marshall, and Virginia. The list of college suitors will grow especially with teams like Arkansas, Iowa State, Baylor, Penn State, Cincinnati, Missouri, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Arizona State, and Oklahoma all showing various levels of interest.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with one of the top players in the state of Arkansas covering his play on the field, off-season workouts, and his recruiting process to date.

Interview

The Bruins have some beasts coming back on offense in quarterback Layne Hatcher, RJ Anderson, and Trajen Johnson, how is the offense looking during spring ball?

“We look pretty good. We have some kinks to work out but everyone will be prepared to win a fourth consecutive championship. The way our coach prepares us, he always gets us ready. No matter if we 11 starters coming back or zero, Coach Kelly will get us ready.”

PA starts the season with what could be four very tough teams in Bryant (Arkansas 7A classification), Page (Sand Springs, OK), Ridgeway (Memphis, TN), and Parkway (Bossier City, LA), has the team started looking ahead to the 2017 season in preparation for the tough opening four games?

“We are about to start doing that. The next couple of weeks we will start getting ready for them but we have not started talking about the first four games yet.”

Are you excited for the four games on the schedule?

“Oh – I am unbelievably excited. I can’t wait. My senior year is about to be the best.”

The Bruins pass a lot giving you amble opportunity to work on your pass set. In your opinion, how strong is your pass set?

“I think it is an asset. I think my pass set is a little bit better than my run blocking just because we do it all the time. I’m not saying I am horrible at run blocking, but my pass blocking is slightly better than my run blocking.”

The Bruins staff gets you out in space on screens to the running back going to the right, it looks like you have a lot of fun getting out there crunching corners and safeties. Is that one of your favorite plays the team runs?

“I love it. That is definitely one of my two favorite plays. I love screens and head up run blocking. We call it base. We lock on and drive the defender downfield.”

How has your run blocking come along over the past two seasons?

“When I started playing o-line in junior high, I was not taught the correct steps. When I got to high school, our o-line coach, Coach Blake Ansler, taught us the correct technique. I have been working on it all the time over the last three years. I have it down well. Each week I am improving to get a little bit better.”

What are you working on from top to bottom this spring to help improve your game?

“We lift at PA four days a week. On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, I have been going to D-I for footwork drills. I go lift first to get my muscles tired and then do my footwork drills at D-I.”

Have you maxed out in the weight room this spring?

“We maxed out last week. We did not do deadlift or power clean but my bench was 300. I was happy about that with my long arms. My squat was 450.”

Have you attended any camps this spring?

“I went to the Rivals Speed Combine in Dallas. After that, I was then invited to the Three Stripe Camp on May 21 in St. Louis.”

Let’s switch over to recruiting news. Which schools are showing interest in you?

“Arkansas, Oklahoma, Baylor, Cincinnati, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Penn State, Iowa State, and Missouri. I am excited for our spring practices. A lot of coaches are coming down to watch me move around. I am expecting to pick up some major offers this spring.”

How many offers do you have now?

“I have eight offers. I have offers from Louisiana-Monroe, Texas State, Princeton, Ouachita Baptist, Yale, Dartmouth, Samford, and Virginia.”

*Offer No. 9 came from Marshall after our interview

Have you taken any visits yet?

“Yes, sir. I have been to Mississippi State, Arizona State, and Arkansas twice.”

How did your visit to Arkansas go?

“It was good. They were playing Texas State. They have a very beautiful campus. Their facilities are awesome. They have a good vibe up there at Arkansas. I like it a lot. My brother goes up there as a student. I have been up there a couple times this year.”

When did you go to Mississippi State?

“I went on April 6.”

How did your visit to Mississippi State go?

“It was awesome. One of their recruiting coaches showed my mom and I around the campus in a golf cart. It was very cool there. I saw them practice. I went to their o-line meeting which was awesome.”

Has Arkansas told you where you are in their recruiting process?

“Yes, sir. They messaged me. They recruit in-state kids slower. They are evaluating me and recruiting me. They are making sure my blocking is good in all aspects of the o-line position.”

What about Mississippi State, where are you in the recruiting process going forward with them?

“They are coming down to watch me this spring. If they like what they see they will offer.”

Do you have any upcoming visits planned?

“I have not thought about this summer or fall yet. I am waiting until spring practices are over then I will decide which camps or visits I may take. Right now, I do not know. I am going to Virginia for an unofficial visit.”

Are you excited about visiting the campus?

“I am. I have family that lives in Virginia. I was up there last Christmas. We drove through the campus then. The campus is beautiful. I wanted to check it out. I contacted their coaches, then they offered me on April 8. I’m excited to check it out for real this time.”

What is your cumulative GPA?

“3.4”

Have you taken the ACT or SAT yet?

“I have taken the ACT. I scored a 24.”

Your offer list is piling up and you have taken a few unofficial visits to get a sense of college football and being a student/athlete. When your time comes to decide on which school you may attend and play ball, what influencers will lead you to said school?

“I want to get an education. I want a school that cares about their players’ academics as much as winning a national championship.”

Luke, thanks for your time today and good luck with your spring practices.

“Thank you.”

Please help keep RecruitingNewsGuru.com FREE!

If RNG has helped you, a friend, or a family member through an article, video, or stylized interview with our countless hours of free promotion for high school, junior college, and college athletes – please donate. Any amount is appreciated!

Photo credit: wholehogsports.com; No. 72 Luke Jones celebrates a TD with Trajen Johnson.

Photo credit: Jones family; Luke Jones at Arizona State.

Photo credit: Jones family; Luke Jones at Mississippi State.