Schools

Coach Herring: Tyler Jones a "Natural Leader"

The senior middle linebacker for Brentwood is a hard worker whose personal performance motivates his teammates.

For Brentwood middle linebacker Tyler Jones, the football offseason started in February.

That's when the Eagles wrestling season ended. He only needed a week away from wrestling—"Once you get the bruises and bumps out," he said—before Jones started preparing for a football season that was about six months away.

It's that dedication to his personal performance that has elevated Jones as a team leader, head coach Keith Herring said.

Find out what's happening in Maplewood-Brentwoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

And his work ethic is contagious to the other guys on the team.

"He leads by example. If Tyler does something, they're going to follow," Herring said. "His play motivates them."

Find out what's happening in Maplewood-Brentwoodwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

(Are you a Brentwood Eagles fanatic? Check out our Facebook page devoted entirely to Brentwood Eagles sports: www.facebook.com/BrentwoodEagles.)

After a light practice at on Monday, Jones took a few moments to reflect on what drives him to work hard.

"I just like to win. I want to do everything I can to win," he said.

Jones admits that he doesn't view offseason workouts as a chore. Lifting weights and playing in allow Jones to gain a glimpse into the upcoming season.

It helps that the same group of guys has lifted together since the end of eighth grade year. Jones talked about working out with fellow seniors Danny Lynch, Jake Caragher, Addison Hembree and Keith Bowman.

"The offseason was fun to us because we're looking forward to football so much," Jones said.

While lifting weights provides Jones and his teammates the opportunity to gain the physical prowess required on the football field, it's the time they spent away from the weight room that sets this Eagles team apart.

"We'd bowl on Friday nights or head to the pool together," Jones said. "Coach Herring stressed team chemistry will bring us success. In the past, we've had athletes, but our downfall was our chemistry."

The Eagles lost the , but Jones expects the team to improve each week. Jones tallied eight tackles, eight assisted tackles, one sack and a forced fumble in the game.

He also filled in at offensive guard for the injured Keith Bowman.

Jones's father, Ken, said the move was surprising, considering Tyler's size at 5-foot-10 and 175 pounds. He knew his son would be up for the challenge though.

"He won't back down. That's one thing he's not short on: that's heart," Ken Jones said.

Tyler Jones will face another challenge on Friday when Brentwood travels to for a rival game. He'll likely face MRH defensive lineman , a 6-foot-3, 297-pound junior. Jones is outsized by more than 100 pounds, but a smiling Jones said he has a few tricks up his sleeves.

But we'll have to wait until Friday to see how they work.

(Follow editor Ryan Martin on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MBPatch.)


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Maplewood-Brentwood