DOVER — Kareem Jones’ first taste of football at Delaware State was exactly like his past few months — busy.
Since committing to transfer to DSU mid-spring, Jones finished his final classes at Syracuse University in order to graduate in three years. He even took courses during the school’s first summer session.
His full-speed ahead lifestyle continues at DSU where the team started training camp Monday night.
Jones transferred at the right time for a DSU running back. Coach Al Lavan’s offense is geared around the position and 1,000-yard rusher Emmanuel Marc finished his career last fall, leaving the Hornets without a proven back.
Jones could earn the starting spot during camp.
He joins the Hornets, who went 8-3 last fall, after a roller coaster-type career.
At Lansingburgh (N.Y.) High, Jones was named New York’s Class B Player of the Year in 2003.
After that, though, his playing time and production at Syracuse University decreased. He rarely played his normal position in three seasons with the Orange.
In 2005, Jones was second behind Damien Rhodes and he rushed for 108 yards on 42 carries. Syracuse went 1-10 that season.
Last year, Jones dropped to fourth on the Orange depth chart behind Curtis Brinkley, Delone Carter and Paul Chiara. He served only as a kickoff specialist and returned 10 kicks for 200 yards.
When asked why he transferred from a Division I-A school with a year of eligibility left, Jones replied, “There was a lot of things that happened. But I’m here now.
“That’s it. (Syracuse) is still a great institution. I probably had the best time of my life up there.”
Delaware State running back Kareem Jones, a transfer from Syracuse University, works with running backs coach Paul Macklin at Monday night’s first preseason practice. The Hornets hope Jones gives a lift to its all-important running game. Delaware State News/Daniel Korup
Jones, who earned a bachelor’s degree in communications at Syracuse and is going for his master’s in business management, hopes the good times translate to DSU. He brought along his roommate and safety, Reggie McCoy.
It was a meeting with Lavan that sealed the duo’s decision to transfer. It also didn’t hurt that DSU posted its best record since 1991 last season and missed a share of the Mid-Eastern Atheltic Conference title by one game.
“I believed Delaware State had the best opportunity for me to develop as a player and as a person,” Jones said. “Coach Lavan had a huge influence in that. He told me where the program was headed and I wanted to be a part of it.”
Lavan saw Jones as a perfect fit for DSU’s offense. Jones is a chiseled 211 pounds and has the quickness to fit into Lavan’s system.
“He is a player with speed and relative size,” Lavan said. “He is probably more of a slashing type of runner.
“We were looking for a guy that is a good football player that has quickness and vision. Kareem fits that bill.”
Jones is now included in a deep and highly talented crop of running backs. Lavan, who was a running backs coach with the Dallas Cowboys and several other NFL teams, also brought in Central Florida transfer Chris Strother to add to Lennox Norville.
Norville is the only returning back with any degree of experience. He ran for 286 yards and two touchdowns on 46 attempts behind Marc last fall.
With all three backs, the question of who will start emerges.
Marc, who worked out for the New York Giants and Jacksonville Jaguars this spring, was at DSU’s practice Monday. He said he already knew of Jones during his days at Hudson Valley (N.Y.) Junior College and felt Jones would be the man.
“That Syracuse kid is good,” Marc said. “We used to watch him when I was at Hudson Valley. I think it’ll be him.”
Whoever starts, bank on all three playing a significant role this season. But for Jones, he’s still feeling out his new atmosphere.
“I’m looking to do the best I can,” Jones said. “I haven’t seen a lot of them yet since (Monday) was the first day of practice.
“I’m just pursuing my master’s, playing football and having some fun.”
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