Ohio State right tackle Dawand Jones has a not-so-subtle way of reminding himself of his offseason gains.
Occasionally after the Buckeyes finish practice at preseason camp, Jones will get in extra work with assistant athletic director of sports performance Mickey Marotti. The slightly slimmed down 6-foot-8 tackle will partake in planks lasting 40 seconds to a minute, and he’ll perform the exercise with a 35- to 45-pound plate on his back.
Jones, who said he played last season at around 370 pounds, has since cut 10 pounds from his frame and sits around 360. He keeps the plates on his back as a reminder to himself of what it’s like to compete with extra weight.
“I was like, I’m putting it on my back to see what it’s like,” Jones said Tuesday. “Because I know I can’t go back to that.”
His workouts aren’t purely for motivation. Handling planks with extra weight on his person makes going through drills with new offensive line coach Justin Frye look like child’s play by comparison.
“I mean, if you could go in the weight room and walk around all day with like a 45- or a 50-pound plate on your back and then the next day you took it off, you're gonna move a lot better,” Frye said. “Once they get a little taste and they see the success and they bear little fruit and the understanding of what's going on, that's huge for those guys. So yeah, if you can move a little better 10 pounds lighter, you want to do that.”
Jones says he feels “way better,” faster and healthier than last year after he altered his approach to workouts and preparation. Ohio State left tackle Paris Johnson has taken notice, especially with an uptick in Jones’ velocity firing off the ball.
“I would definitely say just his focus and his demeanor,” Johnson said of Jones’ biggest improvements over the last few seasons. “You can tell this preparation period for us has been very businesslike for him, you know, which is a really good step. And I feel like he's just been really locked in on film. He's taking notes and you can see how he doesn't accept reps that are half-done anymore. I feel like I've started to see that and it's really showing on the field.”
Since he went through his NFL draft evaluation last winter and received a fourth- or fifth-round grade, Jones has known all too well where he needs to improve if he wants to become a potential first or second-round pick: pass blocking.
“In the run game, I’d say I’d do pretty well,” Jones said. “But the pros make their money in pass blocking.”
Justin Frye coaching up Dawand Jones, Paris Johnson and the Buckeye tackles at the second practice of the preseason: pic.twitter.com/BPjffeMKSU
— Griffin Strom (@GriffinStrom3) August 5, 2022
Pro Football Focus agrees with Jones’ self-assessment. In his first season as a collegiate starter last year, Jones graded as the nation’s eighth-best run blocker (90.6) but finished 40th in pass blocking (78.8).
But by slimming down, Jones said he’s noticed an improved quick first step and added agility to handle speed rushes from defensive ends.
“I can't really feel it but on the field, it's more so. When you're pushing off your back foot and then you really can't get off of it at 370, 380,” Jones said. “There's a difference at 360. When you push off, you'll be like, ‘Oh, this feels good.’ There's not as much weight on your left leg or your right leg. So I feel like that aspect has helped me lose weight and I think that's like the best way honestly.”
Jones doesn’t think his frame is a finished product, though. OSU’s right tackle insists he wants to continue to shed weight to continue to become more agile. In addition to participating in team workouts, Jones said he’s been more conservative with his diet and how many portions he’s consuming.
“I look myself in the mirror and be like, ‘You need to do some more work,’” Jones said. “Honestly, say some days, I’ll be like, ‘You look pretty good.’ People applaud me. But I'd be like, nah, I need to keep getting the work and keep getting this stomach to like, if you've all seen (Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle) Lane Johnson, he has no type of fat, no, anything. It's straight down.”
Paris Johnson Jr. and Dawand Jones hitting the blocking sleds at Ohio States second practice of preseason camp. pic.twitter.com/2HGbYxCBn5
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) August 5, 2022
Jones has admitted that he used to love basketball more than he loved football. But entering his senior season, Jones is fully focused on achieving his goals of being one of college football’s best offensive tackles this year and playing in the NFL next year.
“I definitely do,” Jones said of feeling transformed. “At this point, I can say I love football and everything's just changed. Once you get in the film room, it's kind of like how I used to be with basketball but it's football. It's my job. I love waking up and coming here, being with my brothers, everybody protecting the QB. It can't get better than that, honestly.”
