Ulric Jones believes USC defense can be dominant
Ulric Jones wants to be part of the solution on defense for South Carolina in 2015.
“I have faith that I can get in and get in the rotation,” he said. “My goal is to get in and work for a starting job. I know I can make plays by rotating in even if I’m not starting.”
The Gamecocks need help right away for a unit that finished last season No. 92 in the country in total defense (432.7 yards), No. 121 in team tackles for loss (4.0 per game) and No. 118 with 14 sacks in 13 games.
Jones could play end or tackle for USC and is expected to start out inside. He played last season at Butler (Kan.) Community College and has three years to play two with the Gamecocks.
“I’m looking forward to helping rebuild the Carolina program,” he said. “I feel like we have the pieces to put together to make our defense as dominant as we can be.”
BY THE NUMBERS
Height/weight: 6-foot-5, 275 pounds
Stats: 43 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks in 2014
Rating: Three-star prospect, according to 247Sports Composite rating
THREE THINGS
▪ Originally planned to be mid-year enrollee, had to return to Butler to finish schoolwork
▪ Selected Mississippi State out of high school and was committed to Maryland before picking USC
▪ Earned honorable mention all-conference accolades in the Jayhawk Conference at defensive end
THREE QUOTES
▪ “I’m very physical. I bring a lot of energy to the game. That’s my two biggest strengths. I love the game.”
▪ “I want to be the best I can be. I want to improve my talents and skills to the max.”
▪ “I think we understand that there are four jobs that need to be grabbed and, hopefully, I can be one of them.”
COACH’S TAKE
Deke Adams: “Ulric is going to bring us a lot of much-needed length inside. Long arms, he’ll be able to definitely help us inside getting hands up inside, distracting quarterbacks.”
This story was originally published June 9, 2015 at 8:55 PM.