RT Dawand Jones (9.14.23)
What do you think? It’s your first start.
“Big task ahead. Can’t wait. Honestly, I couldn’t ask for nothing else.”
Going against T.J. Watt this week.
“Great player, great guy. I’ve been watching film nonstop. Had to be on top of it for sure this week. Knowing he has so many moves in his arsenal.”
What is it that makes Watt a Defensive Player of the Year candidate every year?
“Nonstop. He just does not quit. He has a motor of like of nonstop moves. My major thing is–I need to limit him to some of them, use my length and my strength to by best ability.”
You outweigh him by 120 pounds so you would think that his quickness would be your biggest challenge. How do you come back from that?
“Like I said, using my length. He kind of leaves his chest open a little bit during the pass game. Using that. There are other things to it. Making sure I get back. He’s a great player.”
Dawand, your development from the day you walked in rookie minicamp to now is night and day. What do you attribute or credit that to?
“I credit that to the defense. They’re the guys I go against everyday. Whether if I am a two or one. You go against them at some point. When I was with the two’s for a little bit, I was going against Myles (Garrett) and Za’Darius (Smith). So that was really helping a lot, even Ogbo (Okoronkwo), he’s a great speed rusher. So I’ll probably take some reps today at two, so that I can get a better feel, just so I can get the reps.”
What did you think about Wyatt Teller’s block from the other night and then what did you maybe learn from that about finishing?
“Like you said, our main job is to finish. That’s the definition of what he did the other day. I was on the sideline at the time and I got hyped about it. Everybody was going crazy. Most people don’t know that’s like a big thing as an O-lineman that’s tough to do to drive somebody 15 yards downfield. Big props to him. He’s going to take care of business this week.”
How can he help you, Dawand, a veteran like him (Wyatt Teller) lining up with you. How can he help you in game?
“His experience, his length. He’s pretty tall, in my opinion, his arms are long. In the pass game, half of the time, I’m really attached to his hip. It’s really not much. He’s like the main charge of everything that goes on the right side. He helps. He’s the workforce.”
Do you think they’ll move TJ (Watt) around a little bit? Do they traditionally do that or will he be fairly stationary on one side?
“I think they’ll probably put him majority on my side just because I’m younger, a rookie. They’re going to try to definitely make me a target. But I got to step up to the plate, step up to the challenge. But they do have packages that they’re going to move around so it comes with the game.”
What have you learned from Jack (Conklin) and how has he helped you?
“The strikes. You know, Jack has a mean punch and even going to Indy (individual drills) and me just being a dummy for him. You just learn how strong his punch is. Honestly, Jack is just a great worker. He comes in every day and just does what he needs to do. I learned that from him. Just making sure I get those extra reps, extra set, definitely a lot. I appreciate Jack for that.”
What do you think your emotions are going to be like Monday night? Monday night game, prime time? First start, TJ watt, all of it.
“My emotions–they’re really the same every time I go into a game. I would say they’re a little bit low, but also in my head, high. Never get too high. Never get too low. Honestly, just play the game just like any other game. Just don’t treat it different. It is prime time. Everybody’s watching you. So you can’t let anybody down. Can’t let yourself down. Can’t let the team down. ”
What was the most hostile environment you played in at OSU? Was it Michigan or somewhere else?
“Probably still up north. I said it’s just like a rerun of my junior year. Not much experience. Went against a very elite rusher. Just like my junior year. I was going against an elite rusher as in (Detroit Lions) Aiden Hutchison. Just got to step up to the plate, like I said.”
And you always had the goal to be a starter, no doubt. But this happened really quickly. Did it take you by surprise? How are you dealing with it?
“Took me by a little bit of surprise. Just because you just thought the time was going to be a little bit longer. You wait and stuff like that, but it’s here. God wouldn’t put you in this moment if he didn’t want you here. So it’s up to me to go attack it and go grab it.”
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