ThunderRidge standout Sam Jones (75) has offers from numerous Division I programs interested in his blend of size and athleticism.
File photo by Paul DiSalvo
In more than a dozen years as the head football coach at
ThunderRidge (Highlands Ranch), Joe Johnson thought he had seen it all. But even the veteran coach was taken aback at a team camp in June at the University of Northern Colorado when senior standout
Sam Jones rolled up to the practice field on a skateboard.
"It's not very often you see a 6-foot-5, 280-pound guy on a skateboard," Johnson said. "But he seemed to be handling it pretty well. That goes to show how athletic he is, to have the coordination to do something like that at his size."
Jones said the ride on the skateboard had more to do with convenience rather than a desire to become the next Tony Hawk, as UNC's practice facilities were a pretty hefty hike from where the Grizzlies were staying. And he quickly found out he was way too big to ride the scooter he had brought, so he loaned it to another teammate before grabbing a deck and heading to the field.
"I definitely took it slow," Jones said.
Division I schools aren't taking it slow in their pursuit of Jones, though. A three-star recruit, he's considered the top lineman in Colorado. He received offers from nearly a dozen schools and has been on "eight or nine" visits. While he hasn't finalized his decision, he has narrowed his choices to Oregon, Kansas State and Arizona State.
"I've enjoyed it for the most part," Jones said about the recruiting process. "It can get a little overwhelming at times, but it's fine if you take it on your own terms and are able to take a step back if you start to get burnt out. But I've definitely enjoyed it."
One of the highlights was seeing Oregon's new $68 million practice facility.
"I was amazed," Jones said. "It wasn't finished yet, and a lot of it was just a shell, but you could imagine what it would be like."
If the Ducks are fortunate to land Jones, they will get a player with a tremendous combination of size and athleticism, and has a grit that sets him apart from other standout linemen, according to Johnson.
"Sometimes guys with his size are too nice, if that makes sense. Big guys tend to rely on their size and can be passive," Johnson said. "Sam's not like that. He's a guy that's going to pulverize whoever is in front of him on the field on every down."
"I become a completely different person when I put on the pads," said Jones, who is mild-mannered off the field. "I've seen a lot of players with more size on these recruiting trips, but I'm the one coming away with the offer, and there must be a reason for that. I play with a chip on my shoulder."
Jones and the Grizzlies will enter the season as one of the teams to beat in Class 5A, and believe they have something to prove after a disappointing end to the 2012 campaign.
ThunderRidge started last season by dropping a 36-27 decision to Vista Murrieta (Murrieta, Calif.) before reeling off eight straight in-state victories and earning the No. 1 seed in the 5A playoffs. The Grizzlies advanced to the semifinals before being blown out by eventual champion Valor Christian (Highlands Ranch) 49-3.
"It's a long season and we're going to take it one week at a time, but I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't like another shot at (Valor Christian)," Jones said. "We learned a lot from last year and know we have to get better every week. You can't be satisfied with the No. 1 seed."
In addition to Jones, ThunderRidge brings back a lot of talent, including quarterback
Brody Westmoreland (1,702 yards passing, 13 touchdowns, 735 rushing yards), running back
Steve Ray (1,681 yards rushing, 21 touchdowns) and receiver
Mark Hopper (568 yards, 5 touchdowns).
"I think we can challenge for the state title, I really do," Jones said. "We were a fairly junior-heavy team last year and we have a lot of guys back. We're a good combination of experience and new guys coming up."
Follow John Rosa on Twitter at @JohnRosa7
