Datone Jones Returning For Senior Season
by Nestor on Jan 17, 2012 6:48 AM PST
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PrintMore good news on the football front. Datone is coming back:
Jones finished with 41 tackles, three sacks and 6.5 tackles-for-loss as a redshirt junior, a year removed from a broken foot suffered early in training camp. Jones struggled out of the gate but seemed to find a home as a hybrid end/tackle, using his big frame in the interior to help free up the perimeter during UCLA's late-season surge.
Jones, along with running back Johnathan Franklin, explored leaving for the NFL Draft, but the deadline for entry was yesterday. Franklin said last week that he would return to play for Noel Mazzone, but Jones' status was undetermined until recently.
It will be interesting to see how UCLA uses Jones next season, as the Bruins have more returning at end than at tackle. Damien Holmes, Keenan Graham, Iuta Tepa, Owamagbe Odighizuwa, Aramide Olaniyan and Sam Tai coming back at defensive end and Cassius Marsh, Donovan Carter, Brandon Willis and Seali'i Epenesa back at defensive tackle.
Glad common sense prevailed here for Datone. It will be very interesting to see how he performs in Mora's revamped D next year. Of course we are also hoping that Jones and all that returning talent in front-7 will also be coached up by a DC with a DL background. Either way welcome back Jones. UCLA is getting set up for what should be a big season in 2012.
GO BRUINS.
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of BruinsNation's (BN) editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of BN's editors.
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Big!
Literally.
This could be seen as a vote of confidence for Coach Mora, as well. Sure Datone didn’t have the year we expected, but he has plenty of tools and could have taken a shot at the NFL if he didn’t like how next season was shaping up.
The roster is going to be very very good next year. Recruiting is going very well. Coach Mora has put together a great recruiting staff ad seems to be instilling the right sort of attitude and discipline.
The one thing that remains to be seen is how this staff coaches and develops this team. The expectations for a successful season seem very reasonable, and how this coaching staff actually coaches this team looks to be the final piece of that puzzle.
greg in denver, U.C.L.A. guy for life - BruinsNation.com
Need to slide Datone inside
I doubt Datone wants to do that because he projects as a DE at the next level, but I would think that kind of versatility can only help his stock. I also want to see Owa get more PT.
Welcome back, Datone…
Maybe not
If our DTs start demanding attention and the DC actually bothers to have a scheme other than “okay, you 4 guys try to get the QB”, he just may be the Datone we expected him to be. We need to remember that Datone was coming back from a broken foot, and that teams could easily double team him if necessary. I would have liked to see him win more 1-on-1 battles, but the way teams played against us (quick short passes) took away some of his effectiveness.
But hey, what do I know. I’m just the 800 lbs bruin in the room.
He'll probably be playing the 5 tech a lot
Which seems to suit his abilities best. It appears the staff is switching to the 3-4. I could see Marsh playing the other end.
It will be interesting to see what they do with him in nickel and dime packages. Where Owa fits in, I’m not sure? There’s a long time to ponder the positional possibilities before the season starts
by abasketballfan on Jan 20, 2012 5:26 AM PST up reply actions
Glad he's back, but he just may have to ...
Wait in line with McCarthy and Willis. Not a bad problem to have.
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