Visiting Notre Dame's campus for several days in April, Jarron Jones was just looking for challengers to play him in an NHL video game to help fill his day.
The defensive lineman signee found an opponent, but he also found himself with a front row seat to the announcement of Aaron Lynch’s departure.
The freshman-to-be just so happened to be making a campus visit during the second week of April when the team announced Lynch would be transferring. While he was getting to know his future teammates, better he was also learning that he’d never get a chance to play alongside one of the better defensive linemen to come through Notre Dame in recent years.
“I never really expected it from him,” Jones said of Lynch’s transfer. “I talked to him a lot, but it happened. There's nothing much you can do about it but just wish him good luck.”
Jones said he could feel the buzz on campus in light of the news, but that it didn’t dramatically change the tone of his visit. He was a witness to Kelly’s next-man-in mantra.
“That’s pretty much what they were saying,” Jones said. “That is the motto of the program.”
The defensive linemen may have been surprised at the news, but Jones said the unit remained loyal to Lynch.
“Everyone still talks to him and everything,” Jones said. “Everybody's still cool with him. I'm still cool with him. Nobody has anything against him.”
Jones recalled a moment at practice where one of the team’s walk-ons said that Lynch would regret his decision. The other defensive linemen quickly came to Lynch’s defense, saying he was making a decision that Lynch felt was best for himself.
During a time of turmoil, Jones was able to get a sense for the leadership within the defensive line unit. He said sophomore Stephon Tuitt and junior Kona Schwenke stood out as leaders, but that the unit was led more as a group than by one person.
“Everyone leads in their own way,” Jones said. “Everyone worked each other hard and everyone challenged each other. ... It's pretty much a team effort.”
Defensive line coach Mike Elston has told Jones to work on his speed and pass-rushing skills to prepare himself for defensive end work in the summer and fall. Jones has been doing both Notre Dame workouts and a cross-fit workout to get in shape. The hardest part for Jones has been a conditioning drill in which he must run a 350-yard shuttle in under 65 seconds three times.
“The 350s are killing me,” Jones said with a laugh.
Jones will arrive on campus on June 17. He will join fellow freshman Sheldon Day, who has been on campus since January and had an impressive spring.
With Lynch gone, the chances of seeing playing time as freshman increased for Day and Jones. Seeing Day getting the chance to take significant reps and perform well this spring encouraged Jones.
“I'm very happy for him,” Jones said. “Now I just got to work my way in.”
Staff writer Tyler James:
tjames1@sbtinfo.com
574-235-6214
The defensive lineman signee found an opponent, but he also found himself with a front row seat to the announcement of Aaron Lynch’s departure.
The freshman-to-be just so happened to be making a campus visit during the second week of April when the team announced Lynch would be transferring. While he was getting to know his future teammates, better he was also learning that he’d never get a chance to play alongside one of the better defensive linemen to come through Notre Dame in recent years.
“I never really expected it from him,” Jones said of Lynch’s transfer. “I talked to him a lot, but it happened. There's nothing much you can do about it but just wish him good luck.”
Jones said he could feel the buzz on campus in light of the news, but that it didn’t dramatically change the tone of his visit. He was a witness to Kelly’s next-man-in mantra.
“That’s pretty much what they were saying,” Jones said. “That is the motto of the program.”
The defensive linemen may have been surprised at the news, but Jones said the unit remained loyal to Lynch.
“Everyone still talks to him and everything,” Jones said. “Everybody's still cool with him. I'm still cool with him. Nobody has anything against him.”
Jones recalled a moment at practice where one of the team’s walk-ons said that Lynch would regret his decision. The other defensive linemen quickly came to Lynch’s defense, saying he was making a decision that Lynch felt was best for himself.
During a time of turmoil, Jones was able to get a sense for the leadership within the defensive line unit. He said sophomore Stephon Tuitt and junior Kona Schwenke stood out as leaders, but that the unit was led more as a group than by one person.
“Everyone leads in their own way,” Jones said. “Everyone worked each other hard and everyone challenged each other. ... It's pretty much a team effort.”
Defensive line coach Mike Elston has told Jones to work on his speed and pass-rushing skills to prepare himself for defensive end work in the summer and fall. Jones has been doing both Notre Dame workouts and a cross-fit workout to get in shape. The hardest part for Jones has been a conditioning drill in which he must run a 350-yard shuttle in under 65 seconds three times.
“The 350s are killing me,” Jones said with a laugh.
Jones will arrive on campus on June 17. He will join fellow freshman Sheldon Day, who has been on campus since January and had an impressive spring.
With Lynch gone, the chances of seeing playing time as freshman increased for Day and Jones. Seeing Day getting the chance to take significant reps and perform well this spring encouraged Jones.
“I'm very happy for him,” Jones said. “Now I just got to work my way in.”
Staff writer Tyler James:
tjames1@sbtinfo.com
574-235-6214
