University of Richmond Athletics
Wells Fargo Athlete of the Week: David Jones
09/14/2016 | Football
UNIVERISTY OF RICHMOND, Va. – There may not be a bigger energy play in football than a kick or punt return for a touchdown.
That's exactly what David Jones gave his team this past Saturday in Richmond's 34-0 win over Norfolk State with a 68-yard punt return for the first score of the game and quickly energized the Spider sidelines.
Jones has also been a leader on the defensive side of the ball, where Richmond ranks top-10 nationally, allowing just 10 points per game and only 212 yards per game. This past Saturday, the Spiders allowed just 46 yards passing, the fewest in over 50 games dating back to the 2011 season.
For his efforts, Jones was named the Wells Fargo Athlete of the Week.
We caught up with Jones as the Spiders prepare for the opening of CAA play this weekend at Stony Brook.
RichmondSpiders.com: Talk us through the punt return and how you saw that open up.
Jones: Obviously, nothing happens on a punt return if the blocking isn't done, so it really started with the blocking job that was done. After I got the ball, I saw that all the blocks were made and I knew I really only had to beat the punter.
We were at the point in the game where we needed an energy play and we needed to get going, so it was good to get the crowd and bench into it with the return.
RichmondSpiders.com: What's the transition like going from defense to special teams?
Jones: It's a completely different mindset and you almost have to have a switch that you turn on when the punt return unit comes on. It can be difficult because if you're tired from exerting your energy defensively, it can be tough to switch into special teams mode, but it's an opportunity to help the team, so we're excited to try and do our jobs.
RichmondSpiders.com: Defensively, you guys have had a strong start. What's clicking right now with your unit?
Jones: Honestly, it's what we wanted to do since the end of the last year. We have high expectations for ourselves and that's not going to change. We want to be the best, we want to do our jobs and give our team the best opportunity to win and reach our goals. We want to be known among the best in the country and we've been able to have success so far this year.
We're lucky to have some veteran guys at each level of the defense and I think that really helps. Both Omar and Winston, who are the leaders at the other levels, they both have a ton of experience and really know how to lead and push us to be the best.
RichmondSpiders.com: Heading into CAA play, what's the team's mindset? Does it change or is still a week-to-week mindset?
Jones: We have to stay in a week-to-week mindset, but we all know that these games mean a little bit more. We know that every team is good and capable of beating us on any given day. This league is a dogfight and we know we're going to have to battle every time we step on the field.
Favorite food: I'll have to say Nachos. I know it's not healthy, but I love them.
Favorite pro team: Gotta go with the home team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
If you weren't playing basketball, what would you be playing: Definitely basketball. I love dunking and shooting threes. I played in high school too.
Outside of football, what's your dream job: Probably coaching. I just want to help some kids who need some guidance, just anyway to give back to kids who need it.
Favorite TV show: I'm into scary shows, there's a show called Scream that I watched a lot this summer.
