Q&A with a Razorback: DeQuinta Jones

By Kate MendelsohnArkansas Media Relations

A highly decorated recruit from the state of Louisiana, DeQuinta (DD) Jones is quickly making waves as a member of the Arkansas defensive line. He was a top 10 prospect out of his home state last year and named the No. 25 defensive tackle by Rivals.com and the No. 60 defensive end by Scout.com.

This season Jones has played in all 10 games and made one start. He has recorded 22 tackles including 2.5 sacks. His best game of the 2009 season came at No. 1 Florida where he recorded two sacks of Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow for a loss of 19 yards.

MR: What memorable moment from last season season?DJ: Sacking Florida quarterback Tim Tebow two times.MR: Biggest difference from high school football and SEC football? What has been the biggest transition? DJ: Its a much bigger atmosphere and the speed. The speed is a little different. All the banging which is something I love to doMR: How would your friends describe you in three words? DJ: Crazy, funny, cool.MR: What would you say is something you need to improve upon?DJ: Reading blocks a little bit better.MR: What are plans when you graduate from Arkansas?DJ: I love kids. I want to be in a position that is a leader that helps kids and teaches them how to be successful. My recreational leadership class has allowed me to go into the field and work with kids and fill their heads with knowledge. I try to share all the knowledge that I know with them. Most of the kids ask me, “What do you guys do to play football?” I tell them the most important thing is good grades, without grades there is no football. Try to emphasize as much as we can about schoolwork. Get schoolwork first and the rest will follow.MR: What is your favorite thing about being a Hog?DJ: I love the Hog call, running out of the ‘A’ before the game starts.MR: For your first year at defensive tackle, you have been incredibly successful. How were you able to make the adjustment so quickly?DJ: Coming in learning the schemes, listening to what all the coaches have to tell me and knowing that it all starts up front. I thank God that he has blessed me to play with all the guys up front and help me to be successful.MR: How has playing beside Malcolm Sheppard helped and what have you learned from him? DJ: Since I have been up here, I have been working with him as much as I can and learning everything he knows and taking it in myself so I can put it on the field. It is a blessing because I’ve never played with someone like him. I played with good tackles in high school. I call this guy a machine. He is an awesome player and I try to do all that I can to learn what he does so I can and be on the same level as him. MR: When you look to the NFL who do you compare yourself to? DJ: Albert Haynesworth. He’s a big guy that can plug up the middle. They throw him in as a defense end on certain downs and distances. I don’t quite have the weight yet. I want to get to 305 and move like I can.MR: What is in his iPod before kickoff?DJ: Little Booster, from LA is all I listen to.MR: When did you realize you wanted to play football? Were there any other sports you considered playing? DJ: I played junior high basketball in seventh and eighth grade and also played football. I left basketball after that because I loved the contact of football.MR: Can you give me a sense of the camaraderie of being a part of the Razorbacks and how that is different from everyday life? DJ: Being a Razorback is totally different. You have everybody looking at you and everyone proud of you as a Razorback. I felt very accepted right away. When I first got here the guys took me in and put their arms around me and took care of me. They did all they could to make me feel a part of the team.MR: What kind of mark (legacy) do you want to leave?DJ: I want to be the greatest player that every played this game. I want to be remembered for my game and how hard I worked to become that.MR: What are you most thankful for?DJ: Just being here today. I thank God for giving me the opportunity to play this great football game and be able to play at this next level.MR: What is your one thing that if it occurred, you would feel your career was a success?DJ: I want to help my team win a bowl game. I want a ring on my finger and want to add to my high school collection. I will do anything I can to help my team be successful.MR: What is something that people don’t know about your sport? DJ: They might say practices are harder and some aspects are, but when its game time you just have fun. Your body doesn’t get tired and you are just out there enjoying yourself.