RTT#7 Gerald Jones: reviewing the class of 2007

by Joel Hollingsworth on May 12, 2008 7:07 AM EDT in Tennessee Volunteer Football

Now we're talking. RTT#7 Gerald Jones' initial profile:

We really should have known. Quote from last year's Getting to Know Gerald Jones post:

Hyperbole?

If Gerald isn't one of the top 50 players in the country, I don't know who is. I've had coaches tell me he reminds them of Reggie Bush. — Millwood head coach Keith Bell

My first thought upon reading that quote? Wild exaggeration from a coach trying to get one of his players into a big time program. You’ll often hear coaches compare an opponent’s best player to some superstar immediately after a loss to that team. Makes ‘em feel better, see? You’ll often hear recruiting gurus opine that a recruit is the next [fill in the blank.] Hyperbole draws attention, soothes battered egos, and justifies subscriptions. It’s not to be taken literally.

And then I saw [the videos.]

. . . .

That, my friends, is what ESPN calls a "scary athlete," with "possibly the best set of feet . . . in this class." Jones is explosive and quick, and he can start and stop like a fly. If you skipped the videos, you may be skeptical when you hear that his classmates call him SportsCenter, but if you watched the footage, you know. Dude’s got moves.

Okay, so is Gerald Jones the next Reggie Bush?

Not really. Reggie Bush can’t pass.

Gerald Jones had a hamstring injury early in 2007 and missed five of the first six games, including losses to Cal and Florida. He didn't really start playing until the Alabama game, and he was strictly a receiver for that game and the game against Steve Spurrier the following week. It was only against Louisiana-Lafayette that the coaching staff put Gerald under center and thereby really began to appreciate the talent they had at their disposal.

Games Played	Rushing					Total Offense		Receiving				Pts
	Rushes	Gain	Loss	Net	TDs	Plays	Yds	No	Yds	TD	TTL TDs
9	8	63	5	58	2	8	58	11	111	1	3	18

Opp.			Rushing					Total Offense		Receiving				Pts
			#	Gain	Loss	Net	TDs	Plays	Yds	No	Yds	TD	TTL TDs
California	31-45	No	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Southern Miss.	39-19	Yes	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Florida	20-59	No	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Arkansas St.	48-27	No	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Georgia	35-14	No	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Mississippi St.	33-21	No	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Alabama	17-41	Yes	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	27	0	0	0
South Carolina	27-24	Yes	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	20	0	0	0
La.-Lafayette	59-7	Yes	2	20	0	20	1	2	20	2	10	0	1	6
Arkansas	34-13	Yes	1	0	2	-2	0	1	-2	0	0	0	0	0
Vanderbilt	25-24	Yes	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0
Kentucky	52-50	Yes	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	20	1	1	6
LSU	14-21	Yes	2	39	0	39	0	2	39	0	0	0	0	0
Wisconsin	21-17	Yes	3	4	3	1	1	3	1	3	34	0	1	6
			8	63	5	58	2	8	58	11	111	1	3	18

Jones got himself into a bit of trouble along with Ahmad Paige back in mid-January. He wanted to transfer after that, but he instead matured into a man before our very eyes, issued an apology letter, and decided to stay.

And yes, for this guy, we have highlights:

For those of you wondering why the Austin Rogers and Quintin Hancock touchdowns against Kentucky are in the Gerald Jones highlight video, you have either forgotten or never read the importance of playmakers post.

In the spring game, Jones caught three passes for 47 yards, rushed once for 12 yards, and, yes, even threw the ball once for a 17-yard touchdown.

Which just goes to show you that sometimes, what appears to be hyperbole is just the plain truth.

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Comments

Ainge, Crompton, & Jones

Gerald Jones is a bad, bad man.

Has anybody else noticed that Crompton is one of the first in the endzone to celebrate even when he had nothing to do with the play? Ainge did some great things here, but, taking nothing away from him, he would always go straight to the sideline. Crompton has that chemistry that should help alot.

by VolBrian on May 12, 2008 9:31 AM EDT reply actions