Davon Jones adds wallop to BC backfield
By Nora Princiotti Globe Correspondent August 14, 2016
Chris Christo for The Boston Globe/File 2014
The last time BC running back Davon Jones took the field was in 2014 for St. John's of Shrewsbury.
Davon Jones had already waited through his first year at Boston College, redshirting the 2015 season, so he was eager to test his mettle during Saturday’s intrasquad scrimmage at Shea Field.
Early in the fully padded exercise, when the offense didn’t seem up to speed yet, Jones provided a burst of energy breaking through tackles up the middle on a 15-yard run.
Later in the morning session, when things were clicking, Jones factored on a touchdown drive led by quarterback Patrick Towles, a graduate transfer from the University of Kentucky.
After junior wide receiver Thadd Smith made an excellent diving sideline catch, Towles handed the ball to Jones on two consecutive red-zone runs between the tackles.
On his second carry, Jones lowered his shoulder and collided with William Harris, putting the hard-hitting sophomore safety on his back.
“Last year was just a development year for me, in the weight room learning the plays and stuff like that, so, I mean, I took advantage of that, definitely, and this year I’m just excited to be able to compete and play,” Jones said.
Although a formal score was not kept, points were awarded for various plays. Jones, no doubt, tallied his share with his rugged runs.
“Davon, he’s a real powerful, physical guy,” said BC coach Steve Addazio. “He’s a real, go-getcha 4, 5 yards. He’s got great feet, but he’s got real contact power. That’s what he has. Certain backs have contact power, when they hit you, they move you.
“If you want to run the ball like we want to run it, you need backs, and we’ve got a nice little stable of backs right now.”
While he’s likely to be listed on the depth chart behind junior Jon Hilliman and senior Myles Willis, Jones could emerge in BC’s power run scheme.
At 5 feet 10 inches and 214 pounds, Jones has put on about 25 pounds since arriving at BC, helping his ability to run with “real contact power,” as Addazio noted.
The Worcester native played some running back in high school at St. John’s (Shrewsbury), but was recruited as a defensive back before Addazio asked him to switch.
Jones has a diverse set of skills. He’s a power runner but understands route running from his time as a defensive back and made one catch Saturday.
Jones said every member of BC’s running back corps can, in a pinch, help as a receiver and that his understanding of multiple facets of the offense is an asset.
“As a player I’m just trying to get my technique down and just learn the scheme as best as I can just to get the trust from my teammates and my coaches,” Jones said.
With a solid performance in the scrimmage, Jones took another step in earning that trust. With Hilliman and Willis getting much of the attention — both had touchdown runs during the scrimmage — Jones has time before the intense pressure to perform will be on him.
But after sitting out a year, he may not feel like waiting.
“I mean, I haven’t played in a real game in I can’t even remember how long,” Jones said. “So being at this stage right now, at BC, is a big thing for me.”
Nora Princiotti can be reached at nora.princiotti@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @NoraPrinciotti.
By Nora Princiotti Globe Correspondent August 14, 2016
Chris Christo for The Boston Globe/File 2014
The last time BC running back Davon Jones took the field was in 2014 for St. John's of Shrewsbury.
Davon Jones had already waited through his first year at Boston College, redshirting the 2015 season, so he was eager to test his mettle during Saturday’s intrasquad scrimmage at Shea Field.
Early in the fully padded exercise, when the offense didn’t seem up to speed yet, Jones provided a burst of energy breaking through tackles up the middle on a 15-yard run.
Later in the morning session, when things were clicking, Jones factored on a touchdown drive led by quarterback Patrick Towles, a graduate transfer from the University of Kentucky.
After junior wide receiver Thadd Smith made an excellent diving sideline catch, Towles handed the ball to Jones on two consecutive red-zone runs between the tackles.
On his second carry, Jones lowered his shoulder and collided with William Harris, putting the hard-hitting sophomore safety on his back.
“Last year was just a development year for me, in the weight room learning the plays and stuff like that, so, I mean, I took advantage of that, definitely, and this year I’m just excited to be able to compete and play,” Jones said.
Although a formal score was not kept, points were awarded for various plays. Jones, no doubt, tallied his share with his rugged runs.
“Davon, he’s a real powerful, physical guy,” said BC coach Steve Addazio. “He’s a real, go-getcha 4, 5 yards. He’s got great feet, but he’s got real contact power. That’s what he has. Certain backs have contact power, when they hit you, they move you.
“If you want to run the ball like we want to run it, you need backs, and we’ve got a nice little stable of backs right now.”
While he’s likely to be listed on the depth chart behind junior Jon Hilliman and senior Myles Willis, Jones could emerge in BC’s power run scheme.
At 5 feet 10 inches and 214 pounds, Jones has put on about 25 pounds since arriving at BC, helping his ability to run with “real contact power,” as Addazio noted.
The Worcester native played some running back in high school at St. John’s (Shrewsbury), but was recruited as a defensive back before Addazio asked him to switch.
Jones has a diverse set of skills. He’s a power runner but understands route running from his time as a defensive back and made one catch Saturday.
Jones said every member of BC’s running back corps can, in a pinch, help as a receiver and that his understanding of multiple facets of the offense is an asset.
“As a player I’m just trying to get my technique down and just learn the scheme as best as I can just to get the trust from my teammates and my coaches,” Jones said.
With a solid performance in the scrimmage, Jones took another step in earning that trust. With Hilliman and Willis getting much of the attention — both had touchdown runs during the scrimmage — Jones has time before the intense pressure to perform will be on him.
But after sitting out a year, he may not feel like waiting.
“I mean, I haven’t played in a real game in I can’t even remember how long,” Jones said. “So being at this stage right now, at BC, is a big thing for me.”
Nora Princiotti can be reached at nora.princiotti@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @NoraPrinciotti.
