Tag: Da’Mario Jones

2014 Season Countdown: #61 Da’Mario Jones

Da’Mario Jones (image via Go Blue Wolverine)

Name: Da’Mario Jones
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 198 lbs.
High school: Westland (MI) John Glenn
Position: Wide receiver
Class: Sophomore
Jersey number: #10
Last year: I ranked Jones #65 and said he would be a backup wide receiver. He played most of the season on special teams.

I thought – and still think – that Jones was the best receiver in Michigan’s 2013 class, and he played more than any of the other receivers (Csont’e York played in one game; Jaron Dukes redshirted). Recently, the freshman wideouts who make it on the field generally have had decent abilities and/or play with some regularity throughout their careers. That gives me some hope for Jones, who played regularly on special teams coverage and mostly did a good job. One of the most frustrating moments last year was when he lost track of a punt by UConn, only to have it bounce off his foot and be recovered by the Huskies. That play aside, he seemed like a capable athlete.

Going into the 2014 season, there will be a lot of jockeying for position as receivers will fight for the scraps left behind by Devin Funchess. Redshirt sophomore Jehu Chesson got a ton of playing experience last year, and classmate Amara Darboh was impressing people before his foot injury last summer. Freshman Freddy Canteen exploded onto the scene this spring, but Jones should be one of those guys who sees some snaps on offense to give a guy a breather or in garbage time. Canteen also said in the spring that Jones is one of the fastest players on the team, so he could surprise some teams with his speed if given a chance.

Prediction: Backup wide receiver; 2 catches, 29 yards

Class of 2013 Redshirts

Derrick Green (#27) carries the ball against Central Michigan

Here’s an updated list of the freshmen who have played thus far in 2013 and the freshmen who are on pace to redshirt. Offensive guard Kyle Bosch, who is expected to start at left guard against Michigan State, is the most recent addition to the first list.

FRESHMEN WHO HAVE PLAYED
OG Kyle Bosch
TE Jake Butt
DE Taco Charlton
LB Ben Gedeon
RB Derrick Green
S Delano Hill
WR Da’Mario Jones
CB Jourdan Lewis
QB Shane Morris
RB De’Veon Smith
CB Channing Stribling
S Dymonte Thomas
WR Csont’e York

FRESHMEN WHO ARE REDSHIRTING (SO FAR)
OG David Dawson
FS Reon Dawson
CB Ross Douglas
WR Jaron Dukes
OT Chris Fox
TE Khalid Hill
DT Maurice Hurst, Jr.
C Patrick Kugler
LB Mike McCray
DT Henry Poggi
OG Dan Samuelson
FB Wyatt Shallman
LS Scott Sypniewski
OT Logan Tuley-Tillman

Poll results: Who will be Michigan’s leading receiver?

This is a poll I took over the summer, prior to the season. Then things got busy and I didn’t have a chance to post the results.

Who do you think Michigan’s leading receiver will be in 2013? All statistics are through seven games.

Jeremy Gallon: 79%
Gallon took a pretty commanding lead with his 369-yard performance against Indiana, but as of now, he has 45 catches for 831 yards and 7 touchdowns.

Amara Darboh: 10%
Darboh suffered a foot injury shortly before the season began, has not played, and is expected to miss the rest of the year.

Devin Funchess: 3%
Funchess has 23 catches for 492 yards and 4 touchdowns. He was pushing Gallon for the lead, but now he’s 339 yards behind.

Drew Dileo: 1% (6 votes)
Dileo has 8 catches for 99 yards and 1 touchdown. I expect him to catch a few more passes down the stretch, but he’s obviously out of the running.

Jehu Chesson: 1% (5 votes)
Chesson’s 7 catches for 98 yards and 1 touchdown aren’t particularly impressive, but the physical skills are there to be a leading receiver someday. He needs to work on his hands and on adjusting to balls in the air.

Jeremy Jackson: 1% (4 votes)
Jackson has notched 5 catches for 53 yards.

Da’Mario Jones: 1% (4 votes)
Jones has yet to see time on offense, although he has played on special teams.

Joe Reynolds: 1% (4 votes)
Reynolds has 3 catches for 56 yards after being passed up for playing time by Chesson.

Csont’e York: 1% (4 votes)
York has played sparingly this season and has yet to make a catch.

Other: 0% (2 votes)
I don’t know who else might have received a vote. Maybe Dennis Norfleet’s parents stopped by to vote.

Jaron Dukes: 0% (0 votes)
Yeah, nobody voted for him.

2013 Season Countdown: #65 Da’Mario Jones

Da’Mario Jones (#11)

Name: Da’Mario Jones
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 195 lbs.
High school: Westland (MI) John Glenn
Position: Wide receiver
Class: Freshman
Jersey number: #14
Last year: Jones was a senior in high school. I gave him a TTB Rating of 81.

Jones committed to Michigan at the end of October 2012 after previously having been pursued by smaller schools like Bowling Green, Toledo, etc. Near the end of the recruiting cycle, coaches from schools like Georgia came through his high school, but he said no thanks to their overtures.

As the most athletic receiver in the freshman class – on a team that lacks a little bit of athleticism at the position – I think Jones is the most likely of the group to play. He has good speed and decent change of direction, so it will depend on how quickly he can pick up the offense. If the coaches are looking for a guy to block, they might go with Jaron Dukes, but if they want a freshman to be involved with the passing offense, Jones appears to be the most ready. I don’t think he’ll be a superstar right off the bat, but I believe he’s the best wide receiver in the freshman class and could catch a few passes this year.

Prediction: Backup wide receiver; 3 receptions, 30 yards

Poll results: Best wide receiver in 2013 class?

Westland (MI) John Glenn wide receiver Da’Mario Jones

Last week I asked the readers to choose who would be the best wideout in the 2013 class.  Overwhelmingly, TTB readers chose Da’Mario Jones.  Here are the results:

Da’Mario Jones – WR – Westland (MI) John Glenn: 71%
Jones is a 6’2″, 185 lb., 3-star prospect.  He has a little more speed than the other two receivers in the class, but he was under the radar, partly because he bounced from New Jersey to Michigan before his senior year.  Jones was my choice for the top receiver in the class.  Here’s his commitment post.

Jaron Dukes – WR – Columbus (OH) Marion Franklin: 15%
Dukes is about 6’4″ and around 200 lbs.  He did not have a great senior season, which has been partly blamed (according to observers, not Dukes) on a lack of quality quarterback play at Marion Franklin.  My biggest question about Dukes is his lack of speed, which might limit him to being an occasional target as a possession receiver; of course, he could also be a good red zone target due to his size.  He has some upside, but his athleticism leaves a little to be desired. (Commitment post.)

Csont’e York – WR – Harper Woods (MI) Chandler Park: 13%
If I were ranking these guys, I would have put York second and Dukes third.  While York lacks some of Dukes’s length, I think York is a more natural pass catcher.  He’s still not an explosive target, but he adjusts well to the ball in the air and catches the ball with his hands away from his body.  I think he will be a quality target on jump balls and near the sideline, somewhat like a Brandon Lloyd (minus some speed) who can contort himself into making some difficult catches. (Commitment post.)