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Darryl Jones welcomed with open arms at NC State

On3 imageby: Ethan McDowell08/18/22ethanmmcdowell
On3 image
NC State receiver Darryl Jones. (Photo by Ken Martin)

The last time NC State wide receiver Darryl Jones was on the field, he was torching Virginia Tech defensive backs in the Pinstripe bowl. Following a very short stint in the transfer portal and a quick recovery from an injury that kept him sidelined for most of spring practice, the former Maryland athlete is back and ready to contribute to the Pack.

Jones spent four years as a Terrapin, playing in 28 games and racking up 49 catches and 705 receiving yards. He entered the transfer portal in early January and quickly announced he was headed to NC State less than a week later. 

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Going up against the Hokies last December, Jones hauled in four passes for 111 yards and two touchdowns— almost doubling his previous season high for yards. The receiver’s trips to the endzone that day were his first career touchdowns. 

He has moved on from the memories he created that day, instead focussing on the next chapter of his collegiate career. 

“I’m ready to make some new ones,” Jones said. 

Jones had a limited role at Maryland at points, but he embraced it, contributing in any way he could and not complaining to the coaching staff, he said. His bowl game performance reaffirmed his belief in his abilities. The receiver can tell the NC State staff believes in him.

NC State wide receivers coach Joker Phillips coached at Maryland from 2019-2020 as the co-offensive coordinator and receivers coach. Jones’ decision to join the Wolfpack is a reunion with his former coach, who is a significant reason why the receiver is in Raleigh. 

“He’s been the same dude since I’ve known him, which is really cool,” Jones said.

“He’s a funny old dude. He’s old school. He knows what he’s talking about, but he’s just a straight-up dude. I can go in and talk to him about whatever. If I go in and ask him why I’m not getting this or playing this, he’s going to give me an answer.”

In addition to helping out on offense, the receiver embraced a potential role on special teams during camp as well, showing a willingness to help the team in any way he can during his fifth season of college football. Jones pointed out the potential special teams has to completely change a game, which is one reason why he is excited to contribute there this season 

“I’m trying to get on all of them,” Jones said when discussing the different special teams units.

Jones missed most of spring practice due to an injury but, as soon as he arrived on campus, the Wolfpack receiver room welcomed him with open arms. On the field, Jones has embraced the competition within the group. 

“We push each other, we help coach each other,” Jones said. “It’s competition between each other, but you can tell everybody just wants to get better because everybody knows that they’re going to have their chance to impact the team.”

Jones, who is from Virginia Beach, Virginia, has six sisters and mentioned that his mother is his hero. He said the influence of her and his siblings have helped shape him as a person, teammate and athlete.

“I think that has really made a difference in how I play and how I approached the team,” Jones said. “I’m able to just be the guy that people can come and talk to.”

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