'16 FL RB Tony Jones Jr. (Notre Dame Signed NLI)

[longliveautrydenson]

IMG's blocking looks terribly unimpressive for how stacked that team is supposed to be. Jones is constantly left making the play himself. I'm not worried about his ranking; the kid is my kinda back.

I was actually underwhelmed by TJJ's tape last year because he had massive holes to run through and you couldn't tell much about his vision. This senior tape is great though, he blows holes open where there are none and punishes would be tacklers. If he can translate his game to the next level we could have Baby Bettis on our hands.

 

[lcaps20]

I don't know how anyone can watch the run at 1:55 and not be excited. He shows a little bit of everything you want in a running back; vision, power, wiggle.

 

[ND-North]

From 247:

Notre Dame commit Tony Jones Jr. looks natural carrying the football, hit some nice runs on Tuesday. Jones brings a power element to the backfield, a strong lower body and a guy that could carry the load for the Irish down the road. Jones is also the best blocker in pass pro of the group.

No wonder we pushed so hard for him

 

[Luckylucci]

Like that states he hit some long runs throughout practice on Tuesday and did so running behind big Ole Tommy Kraemer. Per 247 they were having a lot of fun with it. Sounds like they have really formed a solid RB to OL bond.

 

[zelezo vlk]

Like that states he hit some long runs throughout practice on Tuesday and did so running behind big Ole Tommy Kraemer. Per 247 they were having a lot of fun with it. Sounds like they have really formed a solid RB to OL bond.

Hell wasn't it Tommy who told Tony to commit so he can run being his big butt?

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[Luckylucci]

Hell wasn't it Tommy who told Tony to commit so he can run being his big butt?

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I believe so.

 

[Big23Head]

Still a Scout 4 and #187 overall

 

[irishff1014]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">NLI No. 5 is in from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NotreDame?src=hash">#NotreDame</a> RB signee Tony Jones Jr. <a href="https://t.co/W6mceSQp3q">https://t.co/W6mceSQp3q</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/TonnJoness">@TonnJoness</a> <a href="https://t.co/Rpnt2Dj19O">pic.twitter.com/Rpnt2Dj19O</a></p>— Tom Loy (@TomLoy247) <a href="https://twitter.com/TomLoy247/status/694858167608569858">February 3, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[ulukinatme]

I think the mods need to update the thread title to:
Tony "Trailer" Jones Jr.

This still needs to happen. It was referenced when he met the Bus.

Also, welcome to the family officially, Tony!

 

[Kaneyoufeelit]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">See ya later St. Pete 7️⃣2️⃣7️⃣✈ ️5️⃣7️⃣4️⃣ 🍀🍀✌🏾️✌🏾</p>— T4⃣ (@TonnJoness) <a href="https://twitter.com/TonnJoness/status/741592159393026048">June 11, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Running Back Tony Jones Jr. Will Make His Mark For The Irish In 2017

I think this kid is going to tear up this year!

 

[IrishLion]

Running Back Tony Jones Jr. Will Make His Mark For The Irish In 2017

I think this kid is going to tear up this year!

Not many carries to go around after Josh and Dexter, though BK did tap into the three-headed monster thing pretty well in '12.

Perhaps where GAIII was the home-run threat as the third option in '12, TJJr will be the goal-line threat.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

And if we do see two runningbacks on the field at once, I don't thin k you could ask for a better duo, between the three.

 

[koonja]

BK needs to figure out how to get Dexter Williams carries before he worries about TJ JR IMO. As of 2/20/2017, I believe Dexter Williams is our best running back, and his amount of carries has been a complete joke.

 

[IrishLion]

BK needs to figure out how to get Dexter Williams carries before he worries about TJ JR IMO. As of 2/20/2017, I believe Dexter Williams is our best running back, and his amount of carries has been a complete joke.

I agree that his number of carries is almost unforgivable, but a healthy Josh Adams is the best back on the roster just because of his mix of size and speed IMO. A man that big shouldn't be so natural at avoiding contact, and shouldn't be out-running the opposition's secondary.

Hopefully Dex gets enough work to prove that he's on the same level and to make it a real debate to be had, though.

 

[koonja]

I agree that his number of carries is almost unforgivable, but a healthy Josh Adams is the best back on the roster just because of his mix of size and speed IMO. A man that big shouldn't be so natural at avoiding contact, and shouldn't be out-running the opposition's secondary.

Hopefully Dex gets enough work to prove that he's on the same level and to make it a real debate to be had, though.

I don't have much leg to stand on since BK obviously agrees with you, but I think Dexter can do it all, whereas Adams does somethings really well. Williams is quick, compact, strong, changes direction without dropping speed (this is where he has a big leg up on Adams IMO). I think he's overall better and would help the offense more than Adams.

 

[dwshade]

Dexter needs to practice better and get his assignments down then he will play plenty.

 

[IrishLion]

I don't have much leg to stand on since BK obviously agrees with you, but I think Dexter can do it all, whereas Adams does somethings really well. Williams is quick, compact, strong, changes direction without dropping speed (this is where he has a big leg up on Adams IMO). I think he's overall better and would help the offense more than Adams.

I would argue that what Adams lacks in change-of-direction/dropping speed, he makes up for over Dex with pass pro ability. So Dex could be more complete if he were trusted in Pass Pro, but there exists a greater deficiency in his pass pro compared to Josh's, than there is in Josh's compared to Dex's acceleration. (That's terribly worded but I'm gonna run with it.)

Fun with visualizing my thoughts:

Pass Pro: Josh >>>> Dex
Burst: Dex >> Josh

But again, we're in a really good spot if we can even have this argument, but that depends on Dex actually getting the carries he deserves.

 

[koonja]

Dexter needs to practice better and get his assignments down then he will play plenty.

I wouldn't be surprised if that has SOMETHING to do with it, but regardless, he's been eligible and healthy. And when he gets his 1 carry, he looks better than Adams. Give him the ball. BK's playing of favorites and goofy red shirting decisions are my biggest gripes with him.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

BK needs to figure out how to get Dexter Williams carries before he worries about TJ JR IMO. As of 2/20/2017, I believe Dexter Williams is our best running back, and his amount of carries has been a complete joke.

Last year was pretty bad.

But do you really think the staff was conspiring to keep the best players from the field.

Granted, I think the staff had loyalty to Folston, and I don't think he was ready, from rehab. But other than that . . .

I mean do you really think Autry Denson isn't an exceptional coach, and isn't highly motivated to put the best (product) on the field?


Also, what about the idea that, regardless of what some insist, this is going to be a changed offense? One that uses more running backs, to greater purpose?

 

[koonja]

Last year was pretty bad.

But do you really think the staff was conspiring to keep the best players from the field.

Granted, I think the staff had loyalty to Folston, and I don't think he was ready, from rehab. But other than that . . .

I mean do you really think Autry Denson isn't an exceptional coach, and isn't highly motivated to put the best (product) on the field?


Also, what about the idea that, regardless of what some insist, this is going to be a changed offense? One that uses more running backs, to greater purpose?

No conspiracy, I just think BK makes really dumb decisions and sticks with them sometimes (Joe Schmidt was the dumbest play ever over Nyles literally not playing last year).

I don't think he gets to choose who is taking the carries.

 

[zelezo vlk]

Yet ISD insists that we shouldn't count out Tony Jones. Dude will play.

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[NDinBoston]

I don't have much leg to stand on since BK obviously agrees with you, but I think Dexter can do it all, whereas Adams does somethings really well. Williams is quick, compact, strong, changes direction without dropping speed (this is where he has a big leg up on Adams IMO). I think he's overall better and would help the offense more than Adams.

YPC last year was Josh 5.9 vs Dexter's 5.1. That's almost a whole YPC more and that's what I felt I saw in games. Dexter just seemed to go down easier and I think most agree that Josh was playing hurt.

In 2015 it was an even larger gap 7.1 YPC to 3.9. I realize RBs can get better with more reps and that is probably the biggest argument here (that Dex needs more reps).

Doesn't mean Dex can't get stronger, better this year. Just my 2 cents that it really hasn't shown in terms of productivity on the field yet.

 

[Wingman Ray]

How do you feel about his (Dexter) hands? Think he can double as slot or pass catcher out of the backfield? I hate to see another RB go to waste or look for a transfer due to lack of playing time.

 

[Irishman77]

Adams is our best wr and rb. Dexter is a mad man. Jones and co will have their turn. True depth should be frustrating

 

[Domina Nostra]

Adams is our best wr and rb. Dexter is a mad man. Jones and co will have their turn. True depth should be frustrating

I'll take it up a notch. Adams is the most under-appreciateed RB we've had since maybe Jonas Gray. Adams is a great player when healthy.

 

[woolybug25]

Adams is our best wr and rb. Dexter is a mad man. Jones and co will have their turn. True depth should be frustrating

This is something I think the great coaches do well that BK is still trying to perfect. It seems like every time we have two really good options at a position, we mess it up.

 

[NDRock]

Thought he looked good last night. Maybe he’s fully healthy.

 

[jspags10pg]

Thought he looked good last night. Maybe he’s fully healthy.

According to ISD, he finally is. Makes a difference and it's nice when he gets more than a couple carries. He's definitely a difference maker for our offense and our personnel we can put out on the field.

 

[Luckylucci]

Definitely looked good, my only bummer was not getting to see juice shred that D. He would’ve had a night.