TE Jones eligible vies for team role

By Gus Bode

Returns to practice, could share position with other seniors

As of last week, SIU head Coach Jerry Kill knew he would have transfer Braden Jones eligible for the 2005 season. Now comes the hard part-putting the ultra-talented senior to good use.

Jones suffered a concussion during practice on Aug. 16, the same day he was informed by Kill that the NCAA had cleared him to play. He spent the remainder of last week on the sidelines as a precaution.

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To obtain his eligibility, Jones was given a medical absence waiver from the Gateway Conference.

In the spring of 2004, Jones withdrew from 12 credit hours at Northwestern, where he was previously a starting outside linebacker and did not attend classes anywhere else.

In order to maintain eligibility with the NCAA, an athlete needs to complete at least six credit hours towards their degree per semester. A source from the athletic department told the Daily Egyptian, the waiver from the Gateway allowed them to prorate the 12 hours Jones dropped and count them for the six necessary.

Kill said it was encouraging news to hear that Jones would be eligible to play, but having him sidelined makes it hard for the coaching staff to get him into the mix. Jones will be back in pads to practice with the team today.

“He had a great camp, and now he’s out,” Kill said. “When (today’s practice) starts, we’ve got to start working on trying to figure out where we are going to use the young man.”

Jones will likely share time at the tight end position with seniors Chris Kupec and Micah Turner who were the top two tight ends last year.

Because he played mostly defense at Northwestern and was moved to tight end shortly before he left, Jones has had a lot to learn about his new position throughout camp. At 6 foot 4 inches and 255 pounds, he has the size and athleticism to block or run passing routes.

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“It’s going to take us 3 or 4 weeks to figure out how this is all going to work out,” Kill said. “But at least we know he is eligible, and he’ll certainly be a productive player.”

At practices prior to the injury, Jones has shined among Saluki newcomers. He has proven to have solid pass catching ability to go along with a “never shy away from contact” attitude. In two years at Northwestern, he recorded 115 tackles at linebacker.

Jones said having his eligibility has been a relief for him because he finally has assurance that he will have a chance to play.

“I have been on the team working out pretty hard the last six months or so in the dark not knowing if I was going to be eligible,” Jones said. “That’s tough on you mentally.”

Since coming to SIU, Jones has had much of the same respect for the football program and the school in general that Brandon Jacobs had when he transferred from Auburn.

” I am real proud to be a Saluki,” Jones said. “I think this is the right place for me.”

Reporter William Ford can be reached at [email protected]

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