Jones' Speed Evident as His Play Stands Out In Spring
By Joey Johnston, Special to USF Athletics
USF coach Jeff Scott said an offseason priority was adding more speed to the Bulls' secondary.
"Last year, we got into situations where we were being ran by,'' Scott said Tuesday following USF's 10th spring practice. "We didn't have the breakaway speed to save a big (touchdown) play and let our defense keep playing.''
That's why Scott was attracted to Will Jones II, a 5-foot-9, 162-pound freshman cornerback/nickelback transfer from Kansas State. Jones has a superb attitude and excellent ball skills. He can also really motor.
"I'll just say that I'm fast,'' Jones said. "I try to use that in everything that I do.''
At Mansfield Summit High School in Arlington, Texas — in the Dallas Metroplex — Jones was a sprinter and jumper. He ran 20.82 in the 200 meters, while long-jumping 23 feet and triple-jumping 46 feet.
For Scott, though, many of Jones' best attributes can't be measured.
"Will has been everything and more than what we expected and what we hoped for,'' Scott said. "He has looked awesome through 10 (spring) practices. He has made as many plays as anybody in our defense.
"He's made of the right stuff. He has the discipline, work ethic and mindset it takes to be great on defense. It becomes contagious. You see other players get better by watching Will and the way he attacks everything he does.''
Jones said he didn't know much about USF's program before entering the transfer portal, but already feels it's a better fit for his skills and personality.
"Coach Scott swayed me to come here and be part of something great,'' Jones said. "Going off last year, I thought it would be a straight grind (in spring football). Right off the bat, the intensity and competitiveness was really high. We're out there grinding as a family and I can already see how it has made a difference.
"Sometimes, people don't fit right in certain programs. I feel like USF is the program for me. There's a dog mentality. We're all grinding together with a real family-oriented approach. We have the same mindset. Every play, I'm putting it on the line like it's my last play.''
Scott didn't have much experience with transfer players during his assistant coaching career at Clemson University. In a sense, he wasn't sure what to expect when he retooled USF's roster. But with Jones, he has been pleased.
"You're looking for speed and experience, but you also want the right people, the right kind of guys who can mix and mesh with our current team,'' Scott said. "Will is a great fit here. With him and the other new guys, it's going to make us a better defense for sure.''
The quarterback competition
Scott said sophomore Jarren Williams, a transfer from Miami, was USF's most-improved quarterback between the team's first and second spring scrimmage. Perhaps that's understandable with Williams learning a new offense and also having a football-less fall at Garden City Community College in Kansas.
"Jarren was a little bit rusty the first week or so, but he took a big step in the second scrimmage,'' Scott said. "It's all about being comfortable in what you're doing and what everybody else is doing.
"It's different once the live bullets start coming. You can do all the drills you want, but it's different when you're facing a live pass rush, when you're having to move and throw from different angles. That's a whole different deal.''
Scott reiterated that sophomore Cade Fortin has been consistent throughout spring camp. Holdover freshman Katravis Marsh continues to impress with his arm strength. Meanwhile, true freshman Timmy McClain also caught Scott's eye.
"All Timmy does is make plays,'' Scott said. "I don't know if anybody has tackled him yet. I'm excited for our fans to watch these four quarterbacks compete. We truly have a great quarterback competition going.''
Fans can see it first-hand on Saturday, March 27 when USF holds its spring game at Raymond James Stadium. The game is set for a noon start and, if you can't be there in person, can be viewed on The Identity Tampa Bay (www.TheIdentityTB.com).
Situational awareness
Scott said spring drills are filled with teaching moments, something the Bulls sorely missed last season when the sessions were halted after just one practice due to COVID-19.
The offense has been working on two-minute drills, but Tuesday a four-minute situation was added.
"Meeting with the guys about the two-minute offense, we asked them, 'What are we trying to do?' '' Scott said. "They said, 'Trying to score.' Now how about the four-minute offense? They said, 'Trying to score.' No, it's not really the situation at all. We have the lead and the ball. We're trying to get a first down, run the clock out and stay in bounds. Under no circumstances do you run out of bounds and get the clock stopped.
"Well, we get out there today and we get the ball to a receiver on a beautiful play. He's running and it looks like it's going to be a touchdown. Then he gets run out of bounds. And I lose it pretty bad at practice.''
Another teaching moment.
"I've learned not to assume anything in the room with the guys,'' Scott said. "You really have to coach it and explain it. They'll learn from it. If they're in that situation again, they'll do it the right way.''
Senior defensive tackle Blake Green said the teaching and learning are vital components of spring drills.
"Having spring football is a major benefit,'' Green said. "Last year we had a new coaching staff and spring stopped with COVID, so it was hard to adjust. We were playing on the fly. Now we can really understand what the coaches want from us and it makes it easier to transition.''
