Sept. 2, 2001
By Mark Mannion
MU Media Relations Office
Four seasons of change have been witnessed in Missouri Tiger football since 1998, but Clarence Jones has been one constant to a youthful Missouri defensive backfield.
Jones, a freshman in 1998, entered college as a heralded tailback out of Parkway Central High School in western St. Louis County. He ran for more than 3,000 yards and 39 touchdowns in his illustrious four-year career at Central. Central finished the 1997 season as the runner-up in Class 5A, falling to Jefferson City, led by now-teammates Kirk Farmer and Justin Gage.
However once college began, Jones' offensive days ended. A change was in order.
He was moved to defensive back and saw action in all 11 games in 1998 despite being a true freshman. Jones quickly adapted in his new role and began to enjoy the opportunity to pound away at the tailbacks and wide receivers who came at him.
"On offense, it's like 11 guys all coming at you and I was sore after every game," said Jones. "Now, I get to put a beating on other people. I played a little defense in high school, but offense was really my thing.
"I had to become a great tackler. When I first got here, I think I was an OK tackler, but by working hard everyday in practice I feel I have just gotten better and better."
And everyday means everyday to Jones, who has not missed a practice during his Mizzou career. In fact, Jones did not miss a single practice during his prep career.
Jones has started 22 consecutive starts, recording 157 tackles and three interceptions. He made 87 tackles in the 2000 campaign, ranking second only to All-American Justin Smith's total.
A powerful force at 6-foot and 200 pounds, Jones' ability was evident by his performance of a career-high 13 tackles and two interceptions against Baylor last season.
The hard work has paid off for Jones and his teammates have taken notice by naming him a captain for the 2001 season.
"With 100 guys on the team, to be one of the six captains, it's just a real honor," Jones said. "When things are going good and everyone is happy, that is great, but when adversity comes, the real leaders step up."
The Big 12 Conference has the potential to provide a lot of adversity as it very well might be the toughest conference in all of college football this season.
Jones enjoys the challenge stating, "if you are the top team in the top conference, then you'll be best in the country."
Now a senior, free safety Jones intends to loom large in the new-look Missouri defense that emphasizes takeaways.
The 4-4 defensive set features the much talked about rover and whip outside safeties, whose sole purpose is to pressure the ball, force the play over the middle, and cause mistakes." It is no secret here in Tigertown that these coaches want the football, and the players know it.
Jones looks to capitalize on this pressure, and surpass his career-high three interceptions last season, in which he earned All-Big 12 Honorable Mention. The goals are higher this season, due to an off-season training program that focused on speed, quickness, and change of direction. "I want to return to a bowl game, and earn first-team All-Big 12 honors."
In his role as a defensive captain, Jones sees himself as a quarterback in the middle of the defense, quick to make the reads, and attack the football. Defensive coordinator/defensive backs coach Matt Eberflus works with him on a daily basis, encouraging him to step up and lead the defense. The youth at defensive back will benefit from Jones' positive attitude and emphasis on hard work.
"Discipline is the key to everything. As long as we are disciplined and we attack every play and do our jobs, it's BBT - Bowl-Bound Tigers."
And that's just one of the changes Jones wants to make happen this season.