Question regarding Landry Jones

[zaglaw]

I was wondering whether anyone had any updated info on Landry Jones and his decision to go to Oklahoma. After watching Sam Bradford the last two weeks it doesn't look like there is going to be a lot of PT at the quarterback position in Norman for awhile. Does anyone have info on whether he is waivering at all in his commitment and if so where he might go?

[Loboexpat]

From the Journal, quotes at bottom address your question.


Sunday, August 26, 2007

Artesia QB Stirs Memories

By Will Webber
Journal Staff Writer

ARTESIA— Exactly when and where Landry Jones started having his name etched alongside the state's all-time great high school quarterbacks isn't exactly known.
It could trace back to the late-'80s when Artesia High hired Cooper Henderson away from Ruidoso. The coach's new neighbors happened to be the Joneses.
"Known him since he was about this high," Henderson said, bending over to swipe a spot below his knee.
It may be Jones' first play as a varsity quarterback. It was his sophomore year and the opponent was Lovington.
"The snap went right over his head," said former teammate Kirby Wheeler. "He picked it up and threw about 50 yards for a touchdown."
Or it could have come at any point during his junior year when he grew into a 6-foot-4, 225-pound monster— he has since grown an inch and lost 7 pounds. He passed for 3,432 yards and 45 touchdowns while leading the Bulldogs to a 13-0 mark and the program's 25th state title.
He was the first underclassman to start as Artesia's QB in nearly a decade. He quickly became the focus of a national recruiting war that ended early when he offered a verbal commitment to Oklahoma in March.
"He's the best quarterback I've ever played against, but that's just me and it's probably because of that one game," said Nels Webber, a recent graduate of Los Alamos High.
That one game was a Class 4A semifinal Nov. 25 in Los Alamos. Webber, a 6-3, 210-pound defensive lineman, made a beeline for Jones' blind side at the snap.
"I dropped my shoulder into him and hit him as hard as I could," Webber said. "Next thing I know, I'm on the ground and he's still on his feet throwing a bomb for a touchdown. The guy's a tank and he's slippery, too. People don't realize how athletic he is."
"I heard about that play," said Roswell coach Barey Chambers. "And it doesn't surprise me a bit. He's done that plenty to everyone."
Observers have said Jones is the best QB New Mexico has seen since Jim Everett led Eldorado to the 1980 title. Jones is certainly the most hotly recruited quarterback since Bobby Newcombe suited up for Highland and then Nebraska a decade ago.
"Everett's the best I've seen and Newcombe is one of the fastest, but from what I understand this kid's pretty good," said Clovis coach Eric Roanhaus, whose Wildcats play at Artesia on Oct. 19.
Coaches and high school historians were asked recently to list the best quarterbacks of all time. Names like Carlsbad's Sam Etcheverry, Raton's Noel Mazzone, Santa Fe's Stan Quintana, Clovis' Joe Newton, Gallup's Billy Rucker and Highland brothers Terry and Dean Stone were some of those mentioned.
Toss in any number of Artesia quarterbacks to that list, starting with Scott Runyan and continuing through Kole McKamey.
Etcheverry played two seasons in the NFL with the St. Louis Cardinals and spent time in the Canadian Football League. Mazzone started at UNM and is now an assistant coach with the New York Jets.
Newton became a defensive back in college, and Quintana, Rucker and Terry Stone all played for the Lobos. Dean Stone was a DB at Miami.
Runyan was the first in a line of recent college QBs to come out of Artesia. He was recruited to Wyoming and ranks seventh on the Cowboys' all-time passing list.
For the most part, however, those asked agreed that comparing QBs of yesteryear to those of today is like comparing apples to oranges.
"The game has changed, especially the offenses," said former Eldorado coach David Williams. "Not many teams threw the ball in the '50s, '60s and '70s like they do now."
"And offseason conditioning is different," added former referee and current radio play-by-play man Al Garcia. "Used to be, kids didn't play football until the first day of practice."
Everett agrees. Now the CEO of his own financial consulting firm in southern California, he said the best way to gauge players across the years is by assessing the ol' brain bucket.
"I think a true winner has to have that internal drive to see themselves succeeding," said the 12-year NFL veteran. "I think you reach a point where you ask yourself if you have what it takes. If your answer is 'yes' and you truly believe it, the sky's the limit. Maybe this kid has it."
Newcombe said being the best can't be a one-man show.
"A measure of success for any young person can be seen in the people he has around him," said Newcombe, 28, now a resident of Gilbert, Ariz., and a recent recipient of his Ph.D. "I was lucky to have coaches like Judge Chavez and Gary Sanchez. They were people of character who took a genuine interest and had devotion to players like me."
Newcombe still owns the state record in the 100-meter dash at 10.50 seconds.
As for Everett, his metamorphasis from backup to star began in the summer of 1980 when then-BYU assistant coach Joe Scobel taught him something Henderson instilled in Jones a long time ago.
"Triangle reads," Everett said. "Scobel really opened my eyes to reading defenses. I could throw the ball through a barn but I learned it doesn't always take a strong arm to be a good quarterback."
Jones would seem to have all the tools to be just as good. He is almost the exact height and weight Everett was as a senior.
While Jones claims ignorance to how far he can throw a ball, his aw-shucks attitude can't hide the huge hands that make the pigskin look more like a Nerf ball.
In Artesia's pass-happy scheme— one that has produced five Division I quarterbacks since the mid-1980s— Jones' most potent weapon is his ability to put the ball on the money. He completed 70 percent of his passes as a junior, throwing only nine interceptions in 310 passes.
"He makes our job a lot easier," said Bulldogs wideout Derek Montoya, a junior. "You can make a mistake on your route and he still gets the ball exactly where you want it."
"People ask what it takes to be the quarterback at Artesia High School, and the answer is leadership," said Henderson. "Landry is a leader on and off the field. He puts in the work and motivates his teammates by the example he sets."
"I just try to work hard every day, getting a little better wherever I can," Jones said.
Rated as a four-star recruit by most scouting services, he is listed as one of the top 30 QBs in this year's senior class. He said he was drawn to OU for several reasons.
First, he has a grandmother who lives in Granite, Okla., not far from the Sooners' campus in Norman. Second, he bonded well with Oklahoma quarterbacks coach Josh Heupel, the same QB who led OU to the 2000 national championship.
Finally, Jones said he feels he can compete for the starting job right away.
In fact, he'll steal a page out of the OU handbook and arrive in Norman sooner rather than later. He is scheduled to graduate in December and start his freshman semester a month later. He has his eyes set firmly on the starting job for the 2008 opener.
"That's the idea," Jones said. "I want to get in there and play, do what I can to help the team."
One might think Jones' commitment to the Sooners might have wavered when the program was slapped with probation earlier this summer, but one look at the QB's license plate says otherwise. Bolted to the front bumper of his jacked-up Ford F-250 is a white plate with the familiar OU logo.
"No, never," Jones said when asked if he ever considered giving other schools a second look. "I want to be a Sooner. I'm focused on getting there and getting started."

[zaglaw]

I had read that article earlier. Since it was before the season started I wasn't sure if things had changed. He gave three reasons for going 1) his grandmother, 2) QB coach and 3) thinks he can compete to start right away. I wasn't sure if Bradfords fast start had changed things. If he still goes there, it will increase the respect I have for him since he will have stuck with his commitment and would not be shying away from competing against top competition.

[JBACA]

I think UNM should definitely keep pursuing him! Heck if UNM goes 10-3 we may have a shot at him and he will have a chance to be a 3 year starter here. Plus I promis you guys....he would be the best QB in UNM history(talent wise anyways)

However Im pretty sure nothing has changed and he is a sooner to the bone. Think of it this way

as long as he doesnt get beat by a younger player he will be a 2 year starter at OU....a team that will likely make a run at a NC this year and be among the top 10 every year.

[Loboexpat]

Waiting in the wings at OU is another talented frosh, Keith Nichol from Michigan. Landry's going to be in a tough competition for at least three years at OU.

[JBACA]

yeah but he will graduate before Landry is a junior. Your right though......he will have to fight for that job and always have someone coming for him

[Bloo]

I was going to comment here, but local guys flying the coop to go out of state and languish on the bench when they could be playing locally is a sore subject with me.

[loborick]

I was going to comment here, but local guys flying the coop to go out of state and languish on the bench when they could be playing locally is a sore subject with me.


It's called "Newcombe Sindrome". I suffer from it also.

[Bloo]

It's called "Newcombe Sindrome". I suffer from it also.

I believe Dr. M would concur- this is exactly what it is called!

[Loboexpat]

yeah but he will graduate before Landry is a junior. Your right though......he will have to fight for that job and always have someone coming for him

Nichol will be a sophomore next year when Landry comes in for his freshman season. So, barring early departure, Nichol would graduate at the end of Landry's junior year. Unless, Landry gets the redshirt, which would make a RS-soph.

He might not sit on the bench. Who knows? Nobody was sure that Sam Bradford would start last season.

If Landry went to the Lobos, though, he'd probably be a slam dunk for the starting spot as a freshman.

[JBACA]

Guys what are you talking about?

Here is a list of guys who had UNM offers but went elsewhere.(recently)

Aaron Lewis- played as a true freshman at Texas, won a NC that year. Last year played 30 snaps a game and this year as a true junior he is starter at DE.

Alan Branch- well. Was an all american and all big 10 and is now an NFL player. Played since his freshman year also. Considered one of the biggest steals of last draft as the 1st selection in the 2nd round. Enough said.

Joey Garcia- Is widely considered one of the top Safeties in the Big 12 and will finish as a 2 year starter at Texas Tech and 3 year letter winner.

Dillion Hansen- went to arizona and was poised to start at OG for the wildcats as a sophomore until he sustained a career ending leg injury.

Bobby Newcombe- started as a PR and KR since his Freshman year at a national power. Was a full time starter for 2 years on offense and despite being screwed out of his QB posititon he still did well enough to get a try in the NFl as a WR

.........not exactly riding the bench fellas. UNM just needs to pick it up in recruiting. Thats the bottom line!

[JBACA]

Also......Landry surely will redshirt next year so he should get the chance to be a 2 year starter. And thats assuming Bradford stays till his senior year. Right now he is on the fast track to the NFL. So maybe Landry gets the chance to be a 3 year starter there also.

Donovan JR........Landry RS
Donovan SR.......Landry RS FR
Landry, starter as a soph......3 year starter.

[loborick]

Also......Landry surely will redshirt next year so he should get the chance to be a 2 year starter. And thats assuming Bradford stays till his senior year. Right now he is on the fast track to the NFL. So maybe Landry gets the chance to be a 3 year starter there also.

Donovan JR........Landry RS
Donovan SR.......Landry RS FR
Landry, starter as a soph......3 year starter.

LOL! He's never played a down in college and he's on "the fast track to the NFL?" LOL! When does he sign his contract?

[JBACA]

Sam Bradford in 2 games..........

40 of 48 passing for 568 yards, 8 TD's o INTs

2-0 record

[Bloo]

I (and I think Rick, too) was talking about Bobby Newcombe. Of course there have been and are ABQ products who go elsewhere and have experienced success at both the collegiate and NFL level.

Let me then be perfectly blunt with my opinion, as I was being purposefully vague before. I CANNOT STAND when local products spurn UNM. I don't care if you (anyone) has a different opinion- I can't stand it, and I cut all ties and interests with any local product who doesn't don the Cherry and Silver.

That's what I was insinuating, and that's what I'm saying. I could give a rat's a$$ about Alan Branch, and we went to the same damn high school. The list goes on and on, and it pisses me off! :mad:

[JBACA]

Like I said..........Bobby did pretty good for himself and UNM simply isnt where it should be in recruiting.

[loborick]

Like I said..........Bobby did pretty good for himself and UNM simply isnt where it should be in recruiting.

UNM is never going to be able to compete with the Michigans and Nebraskas for recruits on an ongoing basis. It is human nature to want to play in a big spotlight. That said, how many have gone on to a successful NFL career? None yet. Branch will have his chance, but the little fish in a big pond have not gone on to the type of success they dreamt of by dissing UNM.

I, like Bloo, do not follow the careers of NM players that choose not to come to UNM. I am a Lobo fan. And if they don't care about UNM, I could care less about them.

I misunderstood that message and thought you we talking about Jones being on a fast track to the NFL. But, no one is a sure thing. Jones has a lot of competition to become a starter at Nebraska, and he'll probably get more. Don't be surprised if NU signs a five star QB in the next year or two and Landry sees nothing but the bench.

You sound like you have a horse in this race...

[JBACA]

He is going to OU and yes his chances of starting there are far less.

I just dont hate on a kid for making the decission thats right for him. Despite my love for UNM.

UNM normally cant compete with the Michigans, Nebraska etc...........but when the kid is an in state prospect it sure makes it more even and they should be able to make a run..............Im sorry I just think UNM's recruiting tactics are very very mediocre and it has nothing to do with money.

[Loboexpat]

I'd love it if every blue chipper from New Mexico chose UNM over other schools. Unfortunately, that's not a reality for any school from any state. Some schools that have big names are luckier than others: most years, Texas gets their pick of the top talent from that state - yet for the 2008 football class, Texas was beat by OU for the top recruits in the state (even though Texas recently won a NC and beat OU two years straight). Florida and the other Florida schools usually get their pick of Florida's talent, but some of those top kids go elsewhere as well. In Oklahoma, some of the top football talent has been wooed away by Miami (a traditional rival, no less).

[Bloo]

If "hating on a kid" means not giving a rat's a$$ about him once he crosses the state line (or ends up in Las Cruces), then I guess I'm guilty.

In my book, there's a difference between hating on a kid and not caring about them, but again, that's subject to opinion, of which everyone, myself included, is entitled.

[zaglaw]

Bloo,

Even though you are a fellow niners fan, I guess we feel differently about young athletes going out of state. I would love to see all of them stay in state. Having Lewis on the end rushing the passer this year would be great. Unfortunately the reality is that kids are going to leave each year. Each one has his own reason for doing so. I believe it is up to New Mexico to improve our team and situation to the point these kids want to stay here and play. If UNM can get to the point they are competing year in and year out for a conference championship and winning some bowl games, soome of these guys may choose to stay. However, any player the caliber of Branch, Lewis and Newcombe are going to leave right now. Not necessarily because they will get more playing time elsewhere, but because telling your buddies you are going to Michigan, Texas, or Nebraska strokes the ego. Until UNM competes for a conferecne title every year, guys like Dontrell spurring big time schools for UNM will be the exception rather than the rule.

[Bloo]

Zag,

I couldn't argue with a single solitary word in your post even if I wanted to. Totally on the mark.

Especially the first line.

Respectfully,

Bloo

[JBACA]

I think we could have had Branch and Jones if we played our cards correctly....JMO

[ArkansasLobo]

Zaglaw....one way to get to that elite status is keeping the home town studs at home playing for the Lobos. If they stay and lead the way you start a tradition...then it is a lot easier for the next one that comes along to stay. Also if the home town studs stay...all of a sudden an out of town stud will see that and take a second look at UNM. It is an ongoing process but we have to have a few stay and play in order to get it started. If they, by some chance, make it to the NFL, life gets a lot easier. I live in Arkansas and have seen this very thing happen first hand with the Hawgs. They got some lineman from Little Rock to come and play and now a few of them are in the league and others are not far behind. Kids from Little Rock are lining up to become Hawgs!

[loboray]

Wasn't Brian Urlacher enough of a message that you don't have to leave the state to have a great career and make it in the NFL? Count me as another one who could care less about local kids once they decide to go out of state.

[JBACA]

Why should they stay? They arent being recruited like the other schools do. They arent being shown they they are truy wanted and needed.

[ArkansasLobo]

Rocky needs to build a fence around the state....not to keep illegals out but to keep football studs in !!!!

[Yakkacat25]

Sam Bradford in 2 games..........

40 of 48 passing for 568 yards, 8 TD's o INTs

2-0 record

Against two mediocre teams. Miami not where Randy Shannon wants them yet! There's a reason why Landry Jones was courted by OU so hard. If they didn't think he could play on that level they wouldn't have recruited him. I'll wait and see how it formulates before making ridiculous declartions that he won't start at OU until he gets there! Landry Jones just as talented as Bradford!

[Loboexpat]

Against two mediocre teams. Miami not where Randy Shannon wants them yet! There's a reason why Landry Jones was courted by OU so hard. If they didn't think he could play on that level they wouldn't have recruited him. I'll wait and see how it formulates before making ridiculous declartions that he won't start at OU until he gets there! Landry Jones just as talented as Bradford!

Miami has a crappy offense, but a great defense. That's what makes Bradford's numbers in that game impressive. Miami will have several defensive players taken high in the NFL draft. Bradford still ripped them.

Landry is a great talent, I agree. There IS a reason OU is recruiting him. He developed a relationship with the coaches, especially Josh Heupel, during camps. Camps are huge for some recruits. Josh was also recruited by UNM. He's a great guy and is very charismatic. Point being, though, that camps can be one area where UNM gets on in-state recruits early.

[Yakkacat25]

Miami has a crappy offense, but a great defense. That's what makes Bradford's numbers in that game impressive. Miami will have several defensive players taken high in the NFL draft. Bradford still ripped them.

Landry is a great talent, I agree. There IS a reason OU is recruiting him. He developed a relationship with the coaches, especially Josh Heupel, during camps. Camps are huge for some recruits. Josh was also recruited by UNM. He's a great guy and is very charismatic. Point being, though, that camps can be one area where UNM gets on in-state recruits early.

Miami's defense is not great yet, but they will be!!! Bradford has outstanding wideouts. Bradford is a great talent for RS Freshman QB.

I mean in terms of talent Pat... Landry can run, and has a big arm. I dpo agree about the camps, very good tool for recruiting. What program wouldn't like Landry's talent. I think he can start and play...right away? Not sure because he's not at OU yet. Give him a chance next spring and see how he competes he may just suprise people!