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Jones Making Progress At UF

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By JOEY JOHNSTON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 11, 2009

If you watched the Florida Gators defeat Oklahoma 24-14 in Thursday night's BCS Championship Game, it was difficult not to notice a former Tampa Bay area prep star filling an important role.

There was Gators wide receiver Louis Murphy (Lakewood), making an acrobatic 20-yard touchdown reception, giving Florida its first lead.

There was Gators defensive lineman Torrey Davis (Armwood) crashing into the backfield and dumping Oklahoma running back Chris Brown for a 2-yard loss on fourth-and-goal from Florida's 1-yard line, a play that helped swing the momentum.

There was Gators running back Chris Rainey (Lakeland), one of the team's top breakaway threats, suffering what looked to be a brutal knee injury (it was later reported as a severely sprained ankle).

And there was Gators sophomore linebacker A.J. Jones (Middleton).

You might not have noticed him. But he was there, filling his role on defense, assisting on two tackles, then celebrating as enthusiastically as anyone in the game's aftermath.

"It means a lot to me," Jones said. "I feel a part of this now."

When Jones arrived at Florida in 2006, he was a linebacker touted in the same universe as Brandon Spikes and Dustin Doe. But fate has interceded - three times, actually - and sent Jones' football career into places he never imagined.

•In his first preseason training camp, with coaches high on his ability to contribute on special teams and perhaps on defense, Jones suffered a broken left ankle. When the Gators matured into a team that reached the BCS Championship Game in Glendale, Ariz., then defeated top-ranked Ohio State 41-14, Jones was on the trip. Part of the team, but not really.

•His coming-out party occurred in 2007, when he became a season-long starter. He was named to the SEC's All-Freshman Team. But nothing was easy, as the defense was considered the culprit behind a disappointing 9-4 finish. Jones broke his wrist and played much of the season with that injury.

•Just when things seemed stabilized, Jones went down again this season, injuring a knee ligament in practice, hobbling through a pair of games, missing two more and surrendering his starting strong-side position to Brandon Hicks. Jones, ever the optimist, looked on the bright side and worked even harder. Jones pushes Hicks - and vice versa - strengthening the position like never before.

"A.J. is still very, very important to our defense," Gators defensive coordinator Charlie Strong said. "We like him a lot. He has definitely had his share of bad luck with injuries, but he keeps working and keeps improving."

Ironically, Jones can't remember having one significant injury at Middleton.

"One of those things," Jones said. "It has been frustrating. Almost like you take one step forward, then two steps back.

"I just want one healthy year. Just give me that. I figure I've got all my injury problems out of the way. I've learned how to be patient."

Jones still considers himself a starter. In 2007, when the defense had sagging performances, Jones said there wasn't enough quality depth. Sometimes, the starters would tire, but there wasn't an acceptable alternative.

And now?

"We've got mix-and-match pieces just about everywhere," Jones said. "And everybody is so young. Really no seniors. We're a good defense, and we're going to keep getting better.

"None of us have to stay in the game the whole time. That helps you stay fresh. Everybody is eager to play, so we have a great situation. As for my situation, Hicks and I are always pushing each other, so we're never laying back. We're always working as hard as we can."

Now Jones believes there's a realistic possibility for something historic to happen. He said the Gators are good enough to contend for next season's BCS Championship Game in Pasadena, Calif.

"I don't see why not," Jones said. "We are all on the same page. After we lost 31-30 against Ole Miss, we put our heads together, locked our arms together, then went out and fought the wars. You saw what happened.

"With the players we have coming back, I see nothing but the best thing for this program."

Jones is in the middle of things now, filling a vital role for a defense that limited Oklahoma (54-point average) to just two touchdowns.

"Of course, we want to come back and see if things can work even better," Jones said. "We play with extreme confidence. I think we're going to be back knocking on the door next season."

And with any luck, Jones will be able to enjoy that ride - injury-free.

Reporter Joey Johnston can be reached at (813) 259-7353.

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