Zaire Jones
Safety / Youngstown State
Alex Khvatov: What are your measurements (height, weight and forty time)?
Zaire Jones: 6’0 and 205.
Alex Khvatov: How are you currently preparing for the 2020 season with no offseason training?
Zaire Jones: I have been in contact with the strength coach. He has been giving us programs. I have hills to run around here. My teammates and I ended up coming up with a lot of creative stuff as far as training.
Alex Khvatov: What can we expect from Youngstown State this upcoming season?
Zaire Jones: I am excited about the atmosphere. We should have a good defensive scheme. We should be a playoff team. We kind of had some downfalls last year. We have a couple of guys on the team that know what it takes. We need to get behind the coaching staff.
Alex Khvatov: What is it like playing for your head coach Bo Pelini?
Zaire Jones: Coach Pelini is a pleasure to play for. He runs a 4-3 scheme. He knows defense in terms of his schemes.
Alex Khvatov: Besides football, what other sports did you play in high school?
Zaire Jones: I was a bowler. I also ran track and played basketball. During my 10th grade, I received my first D-I offer from Mississippi State. Track was my secondary sport. I did the long jump and triple jump.
Alex Khvatov: What football positions did you play in high school?
Zaire Jones: I was a running back during the 9th and 10th grades. I played corner and safety during 11th and 12th grades.
Alex Khvatov: Coming out of high school, what programs showed interest in you?
Zaire Jones: I am originally from Mississippi. I had Mississippi State, Missouri, VA Tech, and Virginia. Raekwon Davis grew up with me.
Alex Khvatov: Why did you choose Vanderbilt?
Zaire Jones: Education was very important to me. Getting a degree from Vanderbilt looks very good. I went on a visit. I was an early graduate from high school. I felt comfortable playing for coach Mason. I formed a good relationship with the coaching staff.
Alex Khvatov: Tell us about what you accomplished with the Commodores.
Zaire Jones: When I first got there, I began working hard right away. People taught me how to work hard. I am a football junkie. I picked up the playbook very quickly as a freshman. I learned how to watch tape and what to look for, as far as personnel and formation recognition. My best football was ahead of me. I increased my football knowledge while at Vanderbilt. I always played with a chip on my shoulder. I was still competing against the best in the SEC. I started two or three games my freshman year. I was fighting to get on the field. I was having a solid year as a sophomore, but my season got cut short.
Alex Khvatov: You had an incident at Vanderbilt. What happened there?
Zaire Jones: There was a legal matter. I was suspended by the school the sixth or the seventh game of my sophomore season. I was the starter at that time. I have learned from that situation. That following spring, the school reinstated me, and the football team welcomed me with open arms. I needed a fresh new start. It was my decision to leave.
Alex Khvatov: Why did you transfer to Youngstown State?
Zaire Jones: My strength coach at Vanderbilt told coach Pelini about me. He told him that I am a hard worker. Coach Pelini swept me under my feet. He knew a lot about the game.
Alex Khvatov: Describe your junior campaign.
Zaire Jones: It was the first full season for me. It was exciting to be back playing football. I am a playmaker that can get his hands on the ball. I love the game. I was the newcomer of the year. I had three picks and a pick-six the last game. My coach had faith and trusted me. We had experienced guys on the defense. We were working hard and being dedicated.
Alex Khvatov: What are your strengths?
Zaire Jones: The knowledge of the game and my leadership. I play hard and my work ethic. I have pretty good ball skills.
Alex Khvatov: What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?
Zaire Jones: There is no area that I don’t have to improve on. I seek greatness. I can’t be complacent. I need to become more detail oriented. I can’t have my eyes in the backfield all the time. I have to control the process before the snap.
Alex Khvatov: What is the highlight of your career up to this point?
Zaire Jones: My transition to Youngstown. It was the first game against Samford. I had two INT’s during the first game. I was going through a tough situation and looking for a school. I had that breakout game right away.
Alex Khvatov: What is the biggest lesson that you have taken away from your coaching staff?
Zaire Jones: Coach Pelini taught me to focus on the details and on the process.
Alex Khvatov: What is your favorite NFL team?
Zaire Jones: Kansas City. I played RB. Jamaal Charles was my favoirite player. I also watch a lot of film on Eric Berry and Tyrann Mathieu.
Alex Khvatov: Who is your favorite NFL player?
Zaire Jones: Tyrann Mathieu or Tre Herndon, who is like my big brother.
Alex Khvatov: What has your former teammate Tre Herndon told you about the NFL?
Zaire Jones: The first game that he played in, the speed was completely different. On one play, he thought that he was going to get a PBU, but the WR got by him already. Pay attention to details and be disciplined. Improve your knowledge of the game.
Alex Khvatov: Which player do you try to model your game after?
Zaire Jones: It used to be D.J. Swearinger. He was the leader of the Redskins. He brought energy and made plays.
Alex Khvatov: What is it like being that last line of defense as a safety?
Zaire Jones: It makes your focus go up a notch. The rest of the defense depends on you. You have to make that key stop. Trust comes with leadership.
Alex Khvatov: What players on your team should we keep an eye on for this upcoming season?
Zaire Jones: We have two younger DB’s – CB Dee Ford and S Jordan Trowers. Dee started last year, while Jordan is fighting for a starting spot. TE Miles Joiner is 6’5 and 260. He will be a redshirt junior. Redshirt freshman WR C.J. Charleston is a hell of an athlete. He is a 4.4 guy, lanky with a basketball background. He can jump out of the gym.
Alex Khvatov: Who is the best player that you have faced on an opposing team?
Zaire Jones: WR Deebo (Samuel) is a strong runner with speed. He was a good receiver. QB Tua (Tagovailoa) was a hell of a player as a freshman.
Alex Khvatov: What is the most important trait for a safety?
Zaire Jones: Versatility and knowledge.
Alex Khvatov: What do you enjoy most about football?
Zaire Jones: The camaraderie and the team. Creating a new one. Leaders and coaches form that team atmosphere.
Alex Khvatov: What are your hobbies?
Zaire Jones: I like to watch other people on the field. Stretch and rehab. I have the love for football. Football does so much for younger individuals. It is a different platform.
Alex Khvatov: What makes you unique?
Zaire Jones: My charisma, my intellect, and my work ethic. My background gives me knowledge. I have been through some things and I am grateful to be here.
Alex Khvatov: What do you want to do with your life after your football career is over?
Zaire Jones: Every position coach has told me that coaching is my calling card. I got a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts in three years. I was the first generation in my family to get a degree. Now I am working on my masters in communication.
Alex Khvatov: What five words best describe you?
Zaire Jones: Versatility, intellectual, hardworking, dedicated, and charismatic.
