NC State Football
Tyler Jones Continues To Shine At Left Tackle
October 12, 2017
2,926
Will Richardson’s return keyed NC State's offense and solidified the offensive line.
Tony Adams has been terrific all season, and Garrett Bradbury has emerged as a leader at center. Both Joe Sculthorpe and Justin Witt performed well as early season replacements when called on, and Terronne Prescod is a rock at left guard.
Yet meanwhile at left tackle, the Wolfpack is quietly getting great play despite the focus seemingly being everywhere else.
Tyler Jones is an understated player and perhaps the lack of exposure suits his personality. The redshirt junior is, however, anchoring the offensive line and has participated in 93 percent of NC State’s snaps this season, his second as the starting left tackle.
Like his teammates up front, he was huge in the Wolfpack’s win at Florida State. In the upset, NC State only allowed one sack, on an intentional grounding, and out-rushed the Seminoles.
The coup de grace was a late run by Nyheim Hines that gave NC State an important first down and eliminated any chance FSU had of rallying for a win.
Inside Pack Sports Tyler Jones
“I think we did pretty well as an O-Line and as an offense as a whole,” Jones said of the win. “We went out and executed the game plan. It felt really good towards the end of the game to be able to run the ball when we needed to. So I felt like we played pretty well.
“That last run by Nyheim really sealed the game for us. It felt really good to get that first down running the ball.”
Hines followed the FSU win up with back-to-back 100-yard rushing performances, and Jones says he doesn't have to reward his blockers outside of continuing his strong play.
"He shows us love," said Jones, laughing. "We've been taking care of him. We just want him to keep running. We don't need cookies or treats, anything like. Him getting over 100 yards is even better, that's all we look for."
As for limiting the pressure on the quarterback, Jones feels that if the line provides protection for Ryan Finley it will bode poorly for the opposition.
“We take pride in protecting the quarterback,” Jones said. “I feel as an O-Line that if we are able to keep Ryan [Finley] clean he able to do great things with the football as we have all seen so far this season.
"You see what happens if he stays up and is able to make the throws he makes... we take a lot of pride in it."
Jones is also focusing on his individual performance.
Despite faring well so far, the native of Stone Mountain, Georgia still seeks to hone his craft.
“I always have stuff to improve on,” Jones said. “Backside cuts, that is what my main focus is right now, getting the guys cut down backside so outside zone plays can hit. If it needs to cutback, it can cutback. If not, he will punch out.”
Other members of the offensive line are impressed with Jones.
“I think he has done an amazing job,” Adams said. “What we want him to do is go fast because he is a great athlete. He has great potential for the future, whatever his goals are -- if they are next level. As soon as he plays fast, no one can stop him.”
Next up for Jones and the Band of Brothers is a road game against Pittsburgh. He says that the mindset of the unit has been critical to their success.
"We have that attitude, that swagger that you need," said Jones. "We know that we're the best unit on the field, especially when it comes down to the o-line. You know what play we're going to run. Can you stop it or not? That's how our attitude has been this season.
"We'll keep our head down and keep going to work. We'll talk about the game Saturday and maybe a little bit on Sunday, but when Monday hits, we'll hit the film room and it's no longer about last week. It's about our next opponent. That's the mentality of being 1-0 on Sunday morning."
Tony Adams has been terrific all season, and Garrett Bradbury has emerged as a leader at center. Both Joe Sculthorpe and Justin Witt performed well as early season replacements when called on, and Terronne Prescod is a rock at left guard.
Yet meanwhile at left tackle, the Wolfpack is quietly getting great play despite the focus seemingly being everywhere else.
Tyler Jones is an understated player and perhaps the lack of exposure suits his personality. The redshirt junior is, however, anchoring the offensive line and has participated in 93 percent of NC State’s snaps this season, his second as the starting left tackle.
Like his teammates up front, he was huge in the Wolfpack’s win at Florida State. In the upset, NC State only allowed one sack, on an intentional grounding, and out-rushed the Seminoles.
The coup de grace was a late run by Nyheim Hines that gave NC State an important first down and eliminated any chance FSU had of rallying for a win.
Inside Pack Sports Tyler Jones
“I think we did pretty well as an O-Line and as an offense as a whole,” Jones said of the win. “We went out and executed the game plan. It felt really good towards the end of the game to be able to run the ball when we needed to. So I felt like we played pretty well.
“That last run by Nyheim really sealed the game for us. It felt really good to get that first down running the ball.”
Hines followed the FSU win up with back-to-back 100-yard rushing performances, and Jones says he doesn't have to reward his blockers outside of continuing his strong play.
"He shows us love," said Jones, laughing. "We've been taking care of him. We just want him to keep running. We don't need cookies or treats, anything like. Him getting over 100 yards is even better, that's all we look for."
As for limiting the pressure on the quarterback, Jones feels that if the line provides protection for Ryan Finley it will bode poorly for the opposition.
“We take pride in protecting the quarterback,” Jones said. “I feel as an O-Line that if we are able to keep Ryan [Finley] clean he able to do great things with the football as we have all seen so far this season.
"You see what happens if he stays up and is able to make the throws he makes... we take a lot of pride in it."
Jones is also focusing on his individual performance.
Despite faring well so far, the native of Stone Mountain, Georgia still seeks to hone his craft.
“I always have stuff to improve on,” Jones said. “Backside cuts, that is what my main focus is right now, getting the guys cut down backside so outside zone plays can hit. If it needs to cutback, it can cutback. If not, he will punch out.”
Other members of the offensive line are impressed with Jones.
“I think he has done an amazing job,” Adams said. “What we want him to do is go fast because he is a great athlete. He has great potential for the future, whatever his goals are -- if they are next level. As soon as he plays fast, no one can stop him.”
We know that we're the best unit on the field, especially when it comes down to the o-line. You know what play we're going to run. Can you stop it or not? That's how our attitude has been this season.
Next up for Jones and the Band of Brothers is a road game against Pittsburgh. He says that the mindset of the unit has been critical to their success.
"We have that attitude, that swagger that you need," said Jones. "We know that we're the best unit on the field, especially when it comes down to the o-line. You know what play we're going to run. Can you stop it or not? That's how our attitude has been this season.
"We'll keep our head down and keep going to work. We'll talk about the game Saturday and maybe a little bit on Sunday, but when Monday hits, we'll hit the film room and it's no longer about last week. It's about our next opponent. That's the mentality of being 1-0 on Sunday morning."
Never miss the latest news from Inside Pack Sports!
Join our free email list