Buckeye Linebacker Keandre Jones Shares Plenty of Similarities with Jerome Baker
At one time, Ohio State linebacker Keandre Jones was committed to a school other than OSU, aligning with his home-state Maryland Terrapins. He eventually righted his wrongs, however, and committed to the Buckeyes.
A heralded recruit, Jones played in six games as a true freshman, notching four tackles. He could be found mostly on special teams, but did see some time here and there on defense.
It was remarkably similar to Jerome Baker's freshman season just one year earlier. Prior to Baker exploding as a sophomore in place of an injured Dante Booker, Baker played in just seven games as a true freshman, picking up three tackles along the way. And like Jones, Baker was once committed to a school other than Ohio State.
There is also a similarity in playing styles.
"We’re smaller linebackers compared to your typical 230-pound linebackers, so we’re faster and we try to use our athleticism out there. We challenge anybody who comes our way and gets in front of us," Jones said of both himself and Baker.
Like Baker, who began last season as a Sam linebacker and ended the season as one of the Big Ten's best Will linebackers, Jones is a versatile defender and believes that he can play any of the three linebacker positions.
"Oh yeah, definitely," Jones said. "As a linebacker, you think you’re the best athlete on the field and being able to play all three shows that."
As it is for all freshmen, last season was a wide array of learning experiences for Jones. They were all done with the same goals in mind -- to help the team however he could last season, and to prepare him for his opportunities this season.
"I have grown tremendously," he said. "When you come in, the game is so fast, but getting here in the summer and getting into the weight room and taking part in camp really prepared me for the season. It was definitely crucial, but I got through it and made some noise, and I’m just looking to continue doing that in 2017."
While there are certainly physical comparisons to be made between Baker and Jones, it is the
example that Baker provided that could bring about the most resemblance between the two on the field. As a sophomore, Baker's goal was to help the starting linebackers get ready, and by doing that, it would help
him get ready for the season as well.
Now, Jones likely finds himself in the same position, as the Buckeyes return a pair of starting linebackers, as well as Dante Booker, who began the season as a starter a year ago. Baker's example is still paying dividends.
"I was actually the same way coming in my freshman year," Jones said. "I wanted to contribute. Jerome contributed a lot and helped this team in a tremendous way. He filled in for Dante Booker really well. Both of those guys are big brothers to me and they helped me throughout the season. Like those guys, I’m just looking to continue helping this team in any way I can."
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