Ross grad Kelandre Jones doesn't have to run north-south, but he love physical football
If Kelandre Jones ends up being your 1/11th on defense, you might need another 11th to come help.
Jones takes what he brings to the equation to Division III Defiance College from Fremont Ross as a 6-foot, 215-pound running back
"I love the physical," he said. "I love contact. I'm going to try to run through you, maybe a juke. If you get ahold of me, I won't go down fast, it will take a few guys to get me down."
Jones is inspired by hard-charging NFL running backs Derrick Henry and Marshawn Lynch. He doesn't have to run between the tackles or short yardage, and he caught a pass in five games last season, including a touchdown in a win over Toledo Start.
He was inserted as started as a junior when Labronze Barnett was injured to finish the season. Jones, who saw limited action against Toledo Whitmer as a sophomore, occupied the starting role as a senior.
His work ethic changed midway through junior season.
"I was in the weight room more," he said. "I was running hills."
He rushed for three touchdowns in a win over Oregon Clay and two in a narrow setback to Findlay as a senior. He topped 100 yards rushing in two games and ran for at least one touchdown in each of the first four games.
"Senior year I was breaking tackles and carrying people," he said.
Ross won its first five games the last two seasons. Jones remembers carrying the load for a scoring drive in a win over Sandusky as a junior.
"I got in the third quarter," he said. "I got down the field. The crowd was in it. The feeling, I felt like I helped my team win."
Jones' cousin Jabryis Heidelburg played basketball at Defiance after Ross and cousin Ashanti Elkins is on the track team. Jones was on campus on occasion to see both.
"Jabryis told me Defiance was a great college, great team," Jones said. "It will be great for me. It's a great school. I feel like I can help the football team. Defiance was my first visit [October]. It felt like it was home to me."
He's anxious to play for coach Bill Nickell.
"When he first got in contact and told me I'd be a great fit," he said. "He showed me around."
Jones, who plans to study sports management, considered Bluffton as well. He has big goals.
"I want to become starting running back," he said. "I want to have grades. I want to win a championship. I want to play in the NFL. On game days, there's a game plan. I say my prayers, thank God first. With God inside me, I can do anything I put my mind to."
mhorn@gannett.com
419-307-4892
Twitter: @MatthewHornNH
This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Kelandre Jones happy to carry football, defenders on back at Defiance
