08-27-2008, 12:59 AM
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/200...sing-cane/
Former University of Miami back ready to show off his strong game in Tiger backfield
By Phil Stukenborg (Contact), Memphis Commercial Appeal
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
For Charlie Jones, one of the nation's top running backs coming out of high school four years ago, the almost 20-month wait should end shortly after 6 p.m. Saturday night at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss.
That's when the former University of Miami running back will officially restart his career, bringing his powerful, aggressive running style to the University of Memphis backfield. The timing, for the Tiger football program, couldn't be better.
Last year's starting running back, Joe Doss, graduated and T.J. Pitts, the team's No. 2 rusher a year ago, remains sidelined. Pitts underwent multiple surgeries on his ankle after breaking it in the New Orleans Bowl, and Tiger coach Tommy West doesn't expect Pitts back until at least the middle of September.
Their absences created openings, filled by starting tailback Curtis Steele, a junior college transfer, and Jones, the nation's No. 5 high school running back in 2004 according to Rivals.com.
''I'm excited to get started,'' Jones said. ''I can't wait to get out there. I've been waiting on this moment.''
Jones, who had offers from Notre Dame, Ohio State, Tennessee and Florida as a prep senior, should complement Steele's quickness and breakaway ability, giving the Tigers an opportunity to improve upon what has been lackluster rushing the past two seasons. Memphis averaged 112 yards per game in 2006 and 138 last year.
At Miami, Jones rushed for 713 yards and 10 touchdowns in three seasons. He played as a true freshman in 2004, ranked second on the team in rushing in 2005 and gained 206 yards, with four touchdowns, in 2006.
He broke his foot at the start of Miami's 2007 preseason camp, forcing him to miss the season.
''It's 100 percent,'' he said. ''I don't have any problems on it. I've been cleared ever since last November.''
After the season Jones, a senior, decided to take advantage of an NCAA rule passed in April 2006. Upon earning his bachelor of science degree in education in May, he transferred to Memphis. The two-year-old NCAA rule grants a waiver to student-athletes who have graduated and enrolled at a school in a graduate program (physical education) not offered by their previous school.
A Miami native, Jones chose Memphis and Conference USA because of several factors, including the league's recent success sending backs to the NFL.
''I knew the offense up here was productive, I knew they had a good passing game,'' he said. ''And in this conference last year, three running backs (Chris Johnson, Kevin Smith and Matt Forte) got drafted in the top two rounds.
''Then the surrounding cast here, you couldn't ask for anything more with (quarterback) Arkelon (Hall) and the receivers we have. I just like being surrounded by a good group of guys and with us spreading the field, I'll be able to get some yards running the ball.''
While West has been pleased with Jones' ability, he's been as impressed with the transfer's demeanor.
''He really handles his business,'' West said. ''He practices every day ... hurt, not hurt. He comes to work every day. I pulled him out of practice the other day. He's had shin splints. I held him. I made him not carry his helmet down (to the practice field).''
West said defensive coordinator Tim 'Pup' Walton, who held the same position with the Hurricanes last season, and Tiger director of player personnel Justin 'J.C.' Crouse, assistant director of football relations at Miami in 2007, provided some background on Jones. They highly recommended him.
''Pup and J.C. were exactly right,'' West said. ''They both knew him. They said 'Coach, he's your kind of guy. He's a shut-up-and-work kind of guy. He won't say a word, and he will work like a train.'
"That's what he's been. He doesn't ever say anything. He just does his job and works like a horse. He's real serious about his business."
It's an attitude that hasn't gone unnoticed during Jones's brief time at the UofM. Film sessions have provided reminders.
"He's got a motor," Tiger receiver Maurice Jones said. "And coach points out on film that no matter how bad, or how good Charlie's feeling, he gives all he's got. It makes everyone else want to work as hard as he does."
If his attitude, work ethic and ability help the Tigers establish a running game that has been lacking since the departure of All-American DeAngelo Williams three years ago, Memphis may find itself back in the postseason for the fifth time in six seasons.
"Charlie Jones brings good speed and good tempo (to the running game)," said Tiger defensive lineman Clinton McDonald. "Anyone who goes to The U (University of Miami) must be pretty good.
"But to see it in person (since preseason camp), he cuts good for a big guy. He runs good for a big guy. He runs with good leverage and pad level. He can run aggressively, and he can run with finesse. He can bring the mail."
-- Phil Stukenborg: 529-2543
Recruiting flashback: 2004
Rivals.com ranked Charlie Jones as the nation's No. 5 running back in the Class of 2004. Here's how things are working for that quintet:
1. Adrian Peterson, Oklahoma
2007 NFL Rookie of the Year with Minnesota
2. Marshawn Lynch, Cal
Rushed for 1,115 yards as 2007 rookie in Buffalo
3. Bobby Washington, N.C. St.
Finished career at Division 1-AA Eastern Kentucky
4. Thomas Brown, Georgia
Drafted in 2008 sixth round by Atlanta
5. Charlie Jones, Miami
Transferred to Memphis after 713 career yards at Miami
Game televised ... on tape delay
Saturday's Memphis-Ole Miss game is not on live television, but a replay will be shown on CSS (Ch. 6 on Comcast cable, not available on satellite) at 1 p.m. Sunday.
Former University of Miami back ready to show off his strong game in Tiger backfield
By Phil Stukenborg (Contact), Memphis Commercial Appeal
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
For Charlie Jones, one of the nation's top running backs coming out of high school four years ago, the almost 20-month wait should end shortly after 6 p.m. Saturday night at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss.
That's when the former University of Miami running back will officially restart his career, bringing his powerful, aggressive running style to the University of Memphis backfield. The timing, for the Tiger football program, couldn't be better.
Last year's starting running back, Joe Doss, graduated and T.J. Pitts, the team's No. 2 rusher a year ago, remains sidelined. Pitts underwent multiple surgeries on his ankle after breaking it in the New Orleans Bowl, and Tiger coach Tommy West doesn't expect Pitts back until at least the middle of September.
Their absences created openings, filled by starting tailback Curtis Steele, a junior college transfer, and Jones, the nation's No. 5 high school running back in 2004 according to Rivals.com.
''I'm excited to get started,'' Jones said. ''I can't wait to get out there. I've been waiting on this moment.''
Jones, who had offers from Notre Dame, Ohio State, Tennessee and Florida as a prep senior, should complement Steele's quickness and breakaway ability, giving the Tigers an opportunity to improve upon what has been lackluster rushing the past two seasons. Memphis averaged 112 yards per game in 2006 and 138 last year.
At Miami, Jones rushed for 713 yards and 10 touchdowns in three seasons. He played as a true freshman in 2004, ranked second on the team in rushing in 2005 and gained 206 yards, with four touchdowns, in 2006.
He broke his foot at the start of Miami's 2007 preseason camp, forcing him to miss the season.
''It's 100 percent,'' he said. ''I don't have any problems on it. I've been cleared ever since last November.''
After the season Jones, a senior, decided to take advantage of an NCAA rule passed in April 2006. Upon earning his bachelor of science degree in education in May, he transferred to Memphis. The two-year-old NCAA rule grants a waiver to student-athletes who have graduated and enrolled at a school in a graduate program (physical education) not offered by their previous school.
A Miami native, Jones chose Memphis and Conference USA because of several factors, including the league's recent success sending backs to the NFL.
''I knew the offense up here was productive, I knew they had a good passing game,'' he said. ''And in this conference last year, three running backs (Chris Johnson, Kevin Smith and Matt Forte) got drafted in the top two rounds.
''Then the surrounding cast here, you couldn't ask for anything more with (quarterback) Arkelon (Hall) and the receivers we have. I just like being surrounded by a good group of guys and with us spreading the field, I'll be able to get some yards running the ball.''
While West has been pleased with Jones' ability, he's been as impressed with the transfer's demeanor.
''He really handles his business,'' West said. ''He practices every day ... hurt, not hurt. He comes to work every day. I pulled him out of practice the other day. He's had shin splints. I held him. I made him not carry his helmet down (to the practice field).''
West said defensive coordinator Tim 'Pup' Walton, who held the same position with the Hurricanes last season, and Tiger director of player personnel Justin 'J.C.' Crouse, assistant director of football relations at Miami in 2007, provided some background on Jones. They highly recommended him.
''Pup and J.C. were exactly right,'' West said. ''They both knew him. They said 'Coach, he's your kind of guy. He's a shut-up-and-work kind of guy. He won't say a word, and he will work like a train.'
"That's what he's been. He doesn't ever say anything. He just does his job and works like a horse. He's real serious about his business."
It's an attitude that hasn't gone unnoticed during Jones's brief time at the UofM. Film sessions have provided reminders.
"He's got a motor," Tiger receiver Maurice Jones said. "And coach points out on film that no matter how bad, or how good Charlie's feeling, he gives all he's got. It makes everyone else want to work as hard as he does."
If his attitude, work ethic and ability help the Tigers establish a running game that has been lacking since the departure of All-American DeAngelo Williams three years ago, Memphis may find itself back in the postseason for the fifth time in six seasons.
"Charlie Jones brings good speed and good tempo (to the running game)," said Tiger defensive lineman Clinton McDonald. "Anyone who goes to The U (University of Miami) must be pretty good.
"But to see it in person (since preseason camp), he cuts good for a big guy. He runs good for a big guy. He runs with good leverage and pad level. He can run aggressively, and he can run with finesse. He can bring the mail."
-- Phil Stukenborg: 529-2543
Recruiting flashback: 2004
Rivals.com ranked Charlie Jones as the nation's No. 5 running back in the Class of 2004. Here's how things are working for that quintet:
1. Adrian Peterson, Oklahoma
2007 NFL Rookie of the Year with Minnesota
2. Marshawn Lynch, Cal
Rushed for 1,115 yards as 2007 rookie in Buffalo
3. Bobby Washington, N.C. St.
Finished career at Division 1-AA Eastern Kentucky
4. Thomas Brown, Georgia
Drafted in 2008 sixth round by Atlanta
5. Charlie Jones, Miami
Transferred to Memphis after 713 career yards at Miami
Game televised ... on tape delay
Saturday's Memphis-Ole Miss game is not on live television, but a replay will be shown on CSS (Ch. 6 on Comcast cable, not available on satellite) at 1 p.m. Sunday.