Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, August 26, 1995 TAG: 9508300004
SECTION: COLLEGE FOOTBALL PAGE: CF-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: Medium
There was no hint, when Virginia signed Skeet Jones in 1991, that he would not become a full-time starter until his fifth year.
Here was a player, who, while a bit undersized, made several high school All-America teams and was rated one of the top five college prospects in Virginia.
It took a while for Jones to gain weight and he sometimes played more with his heart than with his head, but circumstances had more to do with his playing time than anything.
Jones happened to be in the same recruiting class as Randy Neal, a three-year fixture at middle linebacker, and the competition at outside linebacker soon would include Jamie Sharper and James Farrior.
``I always felt like I was overdue,'' said Jones, who weighed 190 pounds coming out of Green Run High School in Virginia Beach. ``But, when the coaches make a decision, you pretty much have to accept it.
``I really had a hard time adjusting to not playing. There was a particular time when I thought about leaving. But, last year was a little better year for me.''
Jones was on the field for more than 25 plays a game, not including the Independence Bowl, when he started in place of Farrior. Jones was the No.1 backup at all three linebacker spots and this year will take over for Neal in the middle.
``We always knew he had pretty good ability, and his toughness was way beyond question,'' said UVa defensive coordinator Rick Lantz, whose specific area of responsibility is the linebackers. ``He's just so much more confident.
``I'm excited about him. It's amazing the transformation he's made from a year ago, when he was hesitant about making the calls. Now, you can really tell when he's not out there.''
Even when he wasn't playing with the first-team defense, Jones made his presence felt on special teams, where he had equal disregard for his body and the opposition. Jones has had his share of personal-foul penalties.
``I'm sure it will be the same old Skeet this year,'' said Jones, who hopes to retain his old special-team duties. ``The big issue has always been whether I play out of control. I just think I play hard and play with emotion.''
Neal played with emotion, too, and didn't always watch his mouth, but he understood what Virginia was trying to do defensively and had good instincts.
``I used to say that we should call our pressure stunts either `Skeet blitz' or `everybody but Skeet blitz,''' Lantz said. ``That's been the knock against him: He pulled the trigger even when he wasn't supposed to.
``He'd take on anybody. That was a problem.''
Neal was a productive player, with 367 tackles in his career, who had a knack for big plays. He had 10 interceptions, counting bowl games and two-point plays, four of which he returned for touchdowns.
Physically, Neal has nothing on Jones, who reported for preseason workouts at 6 feet 2 and 238 pounds. Lantz said Jones is faster than Neal and has a ``quicker body.''
It is head coach George Welsh's contention that Jones' progress was hindered because he played inside and outside, ``but, playing the outside helped me learn the defense,'' Jones said.
``Playing the middle is a big responsibility, but I'm ready for it. I think experience is one thing I bring to the position. Another thing is intensity and desire never to quit.''
Although his college career has been somewhat uneventful, Jones has lettered three times and played in all 35 Virginia games since 1992.
He certainly has accomplished more in a UVa uniform than the other two Roanoke Times Top 5 recruits the Cavaliers signed in 1991. Linebacker Al Shirley signed a professional baseball contract and quarterback Aaron Sparrow failed to qualify academically.
``I just felt it was a matter of time until the game made sense to him,'' Lantz said. ``You never know, but in some guys it comes earlier than it does with others.
``Skeet came here with a lot of fanfare, and there was some question that he would lose the faith that it was going to happen for him, that his time would come.''
It was a testimonial to Jones' perseverance - as well as his leadership - that his teammates have voted him one of UVa's co-captains. The Cavaliers have 10 other fifth- or sixth-year players, many of them returning starters.
``I think leadership goes beyond what you do on the field,'' Jones said. ``I'll speak up in the locker room. I'm not the kind of guy who holds his tongue.''
by CNB