PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – He said he thought he could make football a career in eighth grade. Broderick Jones was starting to separate himself from others as he would go on to be a five-star recruit in high school. Then arrived at the University of Georgia.
They have a drill, called the Dawg Drill, for incoming freshmen offensive lineman. It’s basically a one-on-one drill as Jones explained. He would have to go against six defensive players-all ended up being first round picks. He went 0 for 6 in the drill.
After being humbled in that drill, Jones said he went to work. In this time of easier transfers, the Georgia native decided it was best to challenge himself rather than go somewhere else where it could have been easier.
“I knew it was going to be tough going in as a freshman, but I wanted to be a part of a building process,” Jones said. “Georgia was on the uprise. I wanted to be a part of something bigger than me. I decided to stick it out and it worked out for the best.”
The Steelers first offensive tackle taken in the first round since 1996 said he was proud of the way he responded. He learned how to play tougher and more physical. He developed an edge to his game which he said led to him being dominant. Jones said that’s why the Bulldogs won back-to-back national championships.
“Just playing with an edge, at the end of the day that’s what it is,” Jones said. “To be the best, you have to beat the best. Nobody played as physical as us. Nobody was running the ball like us, nobody was taking shots down the field like us. You have to be able to play dominant. You have to play physical, tough and thug it out. That’s the only way you are going to win.”
Related
After learning all of this, there are six guys now in the NFL that he owes payback to and he said he’s going to get it.
Why left
In this age of NIL, there is good money available to outstanding players in college. He could have stayed and earned that and maybe even bumped himself up higher in the 2024 draft. Why was now the time?
“I felt like my job was finished at the University of Georgia, for real,” Jones said. “Two national championships, SEC Championship, All-SEC, I felt like I did all I could there. I feel like there was nothing left for me to do. It was time to move on to bigger and better things.”
Tomlin call
Surrounded by family and friends, his phone started ringing as the Steelers traded up to get the 14th overall pick in Thursday’s first round. His mom started crying as he said he actually just picked it up blindly.
“I’m not going to lie to you,” Jones told Pittsburgh reporters. “I’m sitting there, I heard my phone ring. I didn’t even look at it. I just answered it. I didn’t even see who was calling. I just picked it up.”
When did you realize it was the Steelers?
“When Coach (Tomlin) said his name, I said, ‘oh yes’!”
He said Thursday night in a conference call that he felt home when he made his pre-draft visit to Pittsburgh. After his first day as a Steeler, he explained more why he feels that way.
“The energy and vibe I get from everybody within the organization,” Jones said. “It feels like I’m at home, at Georgia, at Lithonia High School. I feel like I can thrive in a system like that where I feel comfortable.”
Who else called
QB, and the Steelers first-round choice last year, Kenny Pickett was one of the first to call him, so did tailback Najee Harris. Both stand to benefit if he excels in the NFL. Jones also heard from team captain Cam Heyward and he said a few others, really too many to name.
Football love
Steelers GM Omar Khan said on Monday the love of the game was a big factor as they looked at future Steelers. Jones said he’s had the love since middle school and it’s not just because he was good at it.
“The bonds I was able to build,” Jones said. “The brotherhoods I was able to be a part of, it was something different. That’s a life-long journey right there. Just being able to have those people around you who can better you within your life on and off the field. Like the Nolan Smith’s, he’s the type of person I want to have as my best man.”
Snake man
Steelers 1993 second-round pick Chad Brown became known for his love of pet snakes. Jones has a pair himself. He said his friend in high school had a snake and at first, he was freaked out, like most people’s reactions, but once he got used to it, he got Pablo and Piper.
Did he bring them with him to Pittsburgh?
“No, Coach told me to leave the snakes at home.”