By David Brandt, Clarion Ledger
Watching sophomore Eric Jones anchor the left side of Jackson State's offensive line is proof there's still room in the trenches for a sub-300 pounder.
Despite weighing just over 280 pounds, the guard has emerged as the leader of a Tigers offensive line that returns nine of 10 from the two-deep chart last season.
Jones is also the lightest out of those nine linemen, but offensive line coach Bruce Johnson said that's worked to his benefit.
"We can do things with Eric - like pulling and trap plays - that we can't do with everybody else," Johnson said. "He can get out there in the defense and block a linebacker, too. Every line needs a guy like that."
Jones was a two-sport star at Birmingham's Midfield High, playing both baseball and football.
He even played a few years on the basketball team, proving that he's not just a big body who can't move.
As a freshman at Jackson State, Jones started for much of the season and even won the "Pound the Rock" award, which is a large mallet given to the best performing lineman after every game and at the end of the season.
Some of the other linemen tease Jones that he's a bit of a teacher's pet, constantly in the coaches' offices studying tape and asking questions.
But the more knowledge Jones soaks up, the better he seems to get.
"I think I'm pretty strong, but that only helps so much," Jones said. "You've got to have the technique or it doesn't matter how strong you are."
Senior Lorenzo Breland is one of the few holdovers from the James Bell era and one of five fifth-year seniors on the team.
He has seen many freshmen fall by the wayside. That's why what Jones did last season, and continues to do this year, has been most impressive.
"First, there's the whole thing about physically being an 18- or 19-year-old who can hang with 22- or 23-year-olds," Breland said.
"Then they have to be mature and mentally prepare for games like an upperclassman should. Eric's one of the few that figured it out early."
As a whole, the offensive line had mixed success last season. Their pass blocking was more than adequate, with quarterback Jimmy Oliver sacked just nine times the entire season.
Instead, it was the conventional running game that struggled.
No Jackson State running back rushed for more than 341 yards last season.
"Now that we've had the guys together a year, we're improving on that aspect," Johnson said. "It's not perfect, but it's better. That's all you can ask."
JSU: Offensive Line
Watching sophomore Eric Jones anchor the left side of Jackson State's offensive line is proof there's still room in the trenches for a sub-300 pounder.
Despite weighing just over 280 pounds, the guard has emerged as the leader of a Tigers offensive line that returns nine of 10 from the two-deep chart last season.
Jones is also the lightest out of those nine linemen, but offensive line coach Bruce Johnson said that's worked to his benefit.
"We can do things with Eric - like pulling and trap plays - that we can't do with everybody else," Johnson said. "He can get out there in the defense and block a linebacker, too. Every line needs a guy like that."
Jones was a two-sport star at Birmingham's Midfield High, playing both baseball and football.
He even played a few years on the basketball team, proving that he's not just a big body who can't move.
As a freshman at Jackson State, Jones started for much of the season and even won the "Pound the Rock" award, which is a large mallet given to the best performing lineman after every game and at the end of the season.
Some of the other linemen tease Jones that he's a bit of a teacher's pet, constantly in the coaches' offices studying tape and asking questions.
But the more knowledge Jones soaks up, the better he seems to get.
"I think I'm pretty strong, but that only helps so much," Jones said. "You've got to have the technique or it doesn't matter how strong you are."
Senior Lorenzo Breland is one of the few holdovers from the James Bell era and one of five fifth-year seniors on the team.
He has seen many freshmen fall by the wayside. That's why what Jones did last season, and continues to do this year, has been most impressive.
"First, there's the whole thing about physically being an 18- or 19-year-old who can hang with 22- or 23-year-olds," Breland said.
"Then they have to be mature and mentally prepare for games like an upperclassman should. Eric's one of the few that figured it out early."
As a whole, the offensive line had mixed success last season. Their pass blocking was more than adequate, with quarterback Jimmy Oliver sacked just nine times the entire season.
Instead, it was the conventional running game that struggled.
No Jackson State running back rushed for more than 341 yards last season.
"Now that we've had the guys together a year, we're improving on that aspect," Johnson said. "It's not perfect, but it's better. That's all you can ask."
JSU: Offensive Line
Left Tackle
Player Ht. Wt. Cl.
Michael Smith 6-4 320 Jr.
Mikael Harshaw 6-4 310 So.
Left Guard
Player Ht. Wt. Cl.
Eric Jones 6-3 285 So.
Ben Davis 6-3 290 Sr.
Center
Player Ht. Wt. Cl.
Lorenzo Breland 6-2 312 Sr.
Antonio Colston 6-2 295 So.
Right Guard
Player Ht. Wt. Cl.
Michael Harness 6-3 305 Sr.
Jon Silas 6-3 290 Sr.
Right Tackle
Player Ht. Wt. Cl.
Wilson Manigat 6-4 290 Sr.
William Davis 6-4 290 Jr.
What's hot?
Jackson State has plenty of experience returning with nine out of the top 10 linemen playing significant time last season. The lone new guy is left tackle Michael Smith, who has impressed with his agility so far in fall practice.
What's not?
Last season, the line had trouble with conventional run blocking. It's basically the same group returning, so any improvement will have to come from within. Both Michael Harness and Eric Jones have recently missed time with injuries.
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