Matthew Jones 'working harder,' playing key role on Buckeyes offensive line

On3 imageby:Spencer Holbrook09/24/21

SpencerHolbrook

COLUMBUS — Matthew Jones could have used Ryan Day’s open-door office policy at any point during the last two seasons.

Jones, a former top-ranked center out of high school and top-70 player overall in his recruiting class, had options. He had a chance to complain or ask why he wasn’t starting. The transfer portal makes it easier than ever to leave after being passed on the depth chart.

It would have been a logical step to find a starting role somewhere else. Instead, Jones decided to stay out of Day’s office, stick with the Buckeyes, compete and make the most of his opportunities on the field.

“[Transferring] never came to my mind,” Jones said. “No, I just feel like I just have to work harder because the competition here, it’s going to be hard. That’s one reason why I came to Ohio State, to compete. so if I have to work harder, I’ll work harder. …

“I just feel like there’s nothing better at home than here. So just like if I was to make that choice, it’s like ‘Where?’ You just don’t want to make another step to something that could be worse.”

Matthew Jones-Ohio State-Ohio State football-Buckeyes
Matthew Jones helped Ohio State run for more than 300 yards against Tulsa. (Birm/Lettermen Row)

Now in his fourth season in the program — all as a backup — Jones isn’t afraid to admit that it’s hard staying positive at times. He seemed to have a path to a starting role this offseason, but he was passed on the depth chart by Dawand Jones, whose rise at tackle forced Thayer Munford into a guard role and Matthew Jones off the field.

“It was very hard,” Jones said. “It hurt a lot. But at the same time, we’re all a team. So I just have to work and just keep trying to work hard.”

But when Munford went down early against Tulsa, Jones was called on to step in — and he helped lead the Buckeyes to more than 300 yards on the ground. Even more impressively, he was the only offensive lineman to grade as a champion following the win.

Jones has continually shown that he could be the best backup offensive lineman in the country — and a crucial piece for the Buckeyes if they’re going to make another playoff run.

“It’s nice for Matt,” Dawand Jones said. “Just knowing him being patient and always just staying the course. You never know with him, he’s just going to be thrown in there at right, left, center. It just doesn’t matter. I just love Matt. …

Matthew Jones-Ohio State-Ohio State football-Buckeyes
Ohio State has counted on Matthew Jones to step in for missing players throughout his career. (Birm/Lettermen Row)

“He’s always going to step in there and do his job for the Buckeyes.”

Matthew Jones has been part of two teams that made it to the College Football Playoff. He has three Big Ten title rings. He knows what winning looks and feels like. That hasn’t made it any easier to sit on the sideline instead of being on the field with the starters.

But he also has come up big in massive moments for the Buckeyes throughout his career. He started at guard in the win at Michigan State last season and again in the dominant Sugar Bowl semifinal victory over Clemson, which sent Ohio State to the national title game.

And when the Buckeyes needed a left guard against Tulsa, Jones was ready and waiting.

“It means a lot,” Jones said. “Just to show the coaches that they can lean on me when my name is called on. I’m trying to build that trust.”

Consider that trust built. Jones has been in the program. He has been through conditioning, mat drills, winter workouts, wins, losses and everything else at Ohio State.

And he has stuck around in a time that makes it easier than ever to leave after not being named a starter. That’s how Jones has built trust. It’s come with plenty of frustration. But it has paid off repeatedly for the senior.

“I get frustrated a lot,” he said. “What I see it as is God gives his toughest battles to his strongest soldiers. So I just try to stay motivated, work hard every day and just be prepared.”

Jones hasn’t used that open-door policy to vent his frustrations or complain to Ryan Day. Instead, he uses that time to prepare for when he is called upon to fill in.

It’s proven to be a valuable spot, and Matthew Jones continues to make the most of those chances when they happen.

You may also like