Interview: 2023 Oklahoma OL Jonathan Ashford Ready to Turn Heads at College Camps
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Any 6A Oklahoma defender looking for a backyard football brawl on Friday nights, Jonathan Ashford is answering the call. The 6-5, 325-pound, right tackle for Santa Fe High School gets after it using technique and strength with very few tackles, ends, or linebackers able to go the course for four quarters with him. The result on the field has been an offer on the table from Memphis with teams spanning the Pac-12 and Big 12 showing interest in the Class of 2023 recruit.
As camp season heats up across the U.S., Ashford is ready to take instruction from college coaches while showing how he could be a four-year starter for their program.
In an RNG first-look interview, Ashford goes into detail on his skills and workouts with insight on his early recruiting process.
Interview
Jonathan, playing that right tackle spot for Santa Fe, you were crushing everyone that got in your path during the 2020 season. Were you happy with your play on the field during your sophomore campaign?
I was pretty happy with it. Wish I was a little smaller to be quicker on my feet, but other than that I was happy.
You have that nasty streak college football coaches love to see. I always like to find out what fires up guys like you on Friday night to get after it the way you do in the trenches.
A lot of it is, you focus all that hard work in the offseason and when it is time to go to work you go to work.
Your run blocking was on target, moving defenders out of the way, getting up field, and getting pancakes or knockdowns all game long. What were some of the other strengths to your game as a run blocker when the 2020 schedule wrapped?
I think a lot of it was, I was good with combo blocks. We did a lot of work with pad level and having big heavy hands to lock on and drive guys back.
Did you track your pancakes and/or knockdowns last season?
I did not. I lost track of that one.
Me asking you to guess about how many you had per game.
Between three to five or six.
Pancakes, knockdowns, or both?
Pancakes. I don’t count knockdowns.
And what about with your pass-pro? What were the strengths to that part of your game?
I think a lot of it was my hands, getting my lock on them while staying steady and in control.
When the 2021 season rolls around, will we see you at other positions, see you on defense?
You will not see me on defense, but you might see me at left tackle.
Going into the offseason, what is your focus with your pass-protection?
Working on my quickness and getting better in front and with my midline. Another thing I am working on is keeping my hips and shoulders square.
And what about with your run blocking?
I will change up stuff a little; less throwing and more driving through and dominating.
What are some of the exercises and lifts you are doing in the weight room?
I keep it pretty basic: bench, squat, deadlifts, and rows. Nothing crazy or out of the ordinary with my workouts.
What are some of your maxes in the weight room?
My last bench press max was 295, deadlift was 525, and my squat was 475.
Very cool. Camp season is underway, are there any you may go to this spring and/or summer?
This weekend I am going to U.S. National Team Camp in Dallas. When college camps start up I will hit the in-state schools, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State camps.
Are you competing in any other varsity sports?
I throw the shot.
Has your track season started?
We are about to get underway
What are you aiming for in the shot this season?
This year I am looking for 47 or 50 with a 12-pound shot.
Let’s get into the classroom for a minute. What is your cumulative GPA?
A 4.0.
Have you received any awards or honors for your work in the classroom?
Yes, the National Honor Society. You receive that if you have a 3.5 GPA over the course of three semesters.
Nice. Let’s close on recruiting. Which programs have been showing interest?
I have been in communication with Cal, Pitt State, and at school I talked with Iowa State and Colorado. I went on two game visits to Oklahoma State and I’ve talked to Baylor and Oklahoma a little bit as well.
Memphis offered you, when did you receive that offer?
Last March.
Getting that offer, what was it like for you?
It was surreal, it was great.
Are you taking any unofficial visits this summer?
I’d love to see Memphis; I have not been there yet. That would be a blast. I am open to wherever and wherever the process takes me.
Jonathan, it was great getting time in with you today. Wishing you continued success with your offseason workouts.
Thank you, sir.
Photo credit: Ashford family; Jonathan Ashford