Interview: A Breakout Season Coming for 2020 North Carolina RB/ATH JaQuan Jones
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
If Class of 2020 running back/athlete JaQuan Jones has a say in anything, the 2018 season will be a breakout campaign. The 5-9.5, 165-pound, speedster was limited on touches with Northern Guilford High School last year carrying the rock 61 times for 323 yards with two scores and pulled in six passes for 43 more yards. But, a change in scenery with High Point Christian Academy also bring a change in offense to a run orientated attack. The Greensboro area talent has a wealth of schools showing interest, like North Carolina, Liberty, Coastal Carolina, Old Dominion, and East Carolina, just to name a few. That interest list will quickly become an offer list if all goes Jones’ way this season.
In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with the rising North Carolina recruit to learn more about his game and offseason workouts.
Interview
JaQuan, when the 2017 season ended, how had your overall game improved?
“I thought it went great. As far as how I played, I thought it went great. But, this season will be better. The opportunities at my last school at running back were not as great as what I will get at High Point. I am in a new system, and in a run-first offense.”
What do you consider the strengths of your game?
“Speed, speed, and speed. No one can catch me when I break through into the secondary – no one. When I get to the outside, I use my speed and I am gone. I am also strong, I can truck guys. I have a few of those plays on my reel.”
How fast are you?
“My best 40-yard dash time was a 4.44 with my trainer.”
Do you also run track?
“My best track time was during my sophomore year. My fastest 100 was during the second track meet of that year, I ran an 11.31.”
How have spring and summer practices gone?
“Because of my transfer I could not participate in spring practices. This summer we’ve been working hard. Our QB is new also, but everything is coming together. We are making great strides. We participated in a 7v7 tournament recently and we got second place.”
Nice. Where all might you line up on the field in 2018?
“I will be at running back and at receiver a lot. I’ll be about 50-50 between the two. Defense is my main position. I love playing corner. I love that rivalry against receivers.”
What are you working on this offseason at corner?
“I am working on attacking the ball at the highest point. Not being a 6-foot 3-inch, corner, I have to go up against the 6-5 guys when the ball is in the air. I am fast, and I like being physical – that is there. I need to get better and going up for it.”
What have you been working on this offseason with your offensive game?
“My focus is on speed. I am trying to get as fast as I can. I am getting back into the playbook as much as I can. I am going from signals on the sideline to a huddle offense – that is something different to get use to out there. I am also working on my agility and explosion – my explosion is there. I am working on my hands a lot. Some QBs throw bullets, some throw soft. Working on my hands is one of the bigger parts of my offseason workouts. I want to snag anything that comes my way. I want to be a 10 of 10 guy catching the ball, not a 7 of 10.”
Where are you seeing the biggest improvements in your skillset?
“One problem I had last year, I would false step trying to lure the linebacker down. I was using more energy than I had to. Alignment matters when it comes to running. I am more disciplined now and I am improving mentally.”
Have you been to any camps this offseason?
“Yes. I went to an East Carolina and UNC (North Carolina) camp. I didn’t go to that many camps this offseason to focus on training this summer with my team.”
I understand. How did the UNC camp go?
“That camp went well. They loved my 40 there.”
What did you post on the 40 there?
“I ran a 4.51. I was mad at my time, but they thought it was good. That was right after a 7v7 UNC tournament too.”
Of the two camps, which did you perform your best?
“The ECU camp, definitely. The environment there, was set for me to do well. Coach Scotty Montgomery (head coach) said this camp is to learn and improve. That shifted my focus. I looked at it as I can use this four-and-a-half-hour camp as a workout. That was a rigorous camp. I feel that I did my best there viewing it as a normal day at practice. At the end, I got to talk to the coaches.”
Nice transition. Which schools are showing interest in you?
“Old Dominion, East Carolina, Coastal Carolina, UNC-Chapel Hill, Howard, Hampton, and Liberty.”
Have you taken any unofficial visits?
“Yes. I have visited South Carolina, UNC, Georgia State, Georgia, Wake Forest, and ECU.”
How did the South Carolina camp go?
“It was a good visit. I don’t know who he was, but I met a guy with rings there – that was impressive. I feel like they had the most interaction with their players. I was impressed with that. I knew one of their players, CJ Freeman; that helped me talk with the players and coaches even more. The stadium was huge.”
What about Wake Forest, how did that visit go?
“That was a good visit. It was more private and upscale. It was different than the rest. It was after a game, and they lost – it is tough to talk to the coaches then.”
Do you have any planned visits coming up?
“I plan on visiting Chapel Hill again but I have not a set date. I also plan on visiting N.C. State.”
How is everything going in the classroom?
“My GPA was a 4.0 this past year.”
Nice. Have you taken the ACT and/ or the SAT yet?
“Yes. I scored a 21 on the ACT.”
Last question, what goals do you have for the 2018 season?
“I want 1,000 yards rushing, 500 yards receiving, and 500 returning. I want 2,000 all-purpose yards this year.”
JaQuan, good luck with the goals this season and the rest of your offseason workouts.
“Thank you.”
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Photo credit: Jones family; JaQuan Jones at N.C. State and at a 7v7 tournament