The Citadel offensive tackle Bryson Jones was out in space on the field, looking to hit anything or anyone that moved.
As the 6-2, 270-pound junior moved downfield during a recent spring practice he spotted a perfect target — his younger brother, freshman cornerback Bradlee Jones.
This would be just another opportunity for the big brother to show his sibling who was the boss on the football field and beyond.
Growing up in Greenwood, the Jones’ brothers had competed against each other at just about everything from Madden football to basketball in the back yard, and Bryson had always come out on top.
The Citadel cornerback Bradlee Jones played all 11 games as a freshman and finished with 23 tackles and two pass break ups. Michael Wiser/The Citadel Athletics.
A couple of inches taller and nearly 100 pounds heavier, Bryson gathered himself for what was going to be a satisfying de-cleating block on his little brother.
Bryson launched himself towards his target and could almost taste the moment of impact.
It never happened.
Just as Bryson was about to level Bradlee, the young defensive back easily sidestepped his brother’s block and made the tackle.
“He juked me,” Bryson said with a pride and embarrassment only an older brother can feel. “I hit nothing but air.”
Little brother 1, big brother whiff.
It was at that moment that Bryson came to the realization that his younger brother was stepping out of his shadow and becoming his own man.
Bryson Jones wasn’t the only one to recognize Bradlee’s potential on the football field. The Bulldogs' coaching staff is convinced that the rising sophomore will be part of the core of a young and hungry defensive unit. Fans can get a look at that unit at The Citadel's spring game, set for 1 p.m. April 13 at Johnson Hagood Stadium.
“We like Bradlee a lot and think his best football is ahead of him,” said Bulldogs' defensive coordinator Raleigh Jackson. "He’s definitely going to be a big part of that nucleus of young guys that are going to have big roles for us on the defensive side of the ball.”
Jones impressed the coaching staff enough during last year's preseason workouts to get on the field almost immediately for the Bulldogs.
He finished his freshman season with 23 tackles, including 17 solo stops and broking up two passes.
“He’s a prototypical cornerback in today’s game. He’s got length and he can run,” Jackson said. “He’s a bona fide track guy. He’s got a 40-inch vertical, and he’s got good instincts and he’s not afraid of contact, like some cornerbacks are.”
After the football season ended, Jones decided to run for the Bulldogs during the indoor track season. He ran the second fastest time of any Citadel freshman in the 60-meters, finishing second in the Southern Conference track meet in February with a time of 6.81 seconds.
“I never planned on running track until a couple of my teammates said I should try out,” Bradlee said. “I gained a lot of confidence running during the indoor season. You have to rely on yourself to get things done.”
It’s Jones’ speed and his 6-0, 170-pound frame that could make him a prospect at the next level.
“Speed. Bradlee can run with anyone, and he’s got the kind of frame that can put on weight,” said Citadel coach Maurice Drayton. “He reminds me of some of the guys we had that went on to play in the NFL. We’ve had some scouts that have come through tell us that if he continues on his trajectory, he’s got a chance to play in the NFL.”
Bradlee said having his older brother on campus helped him navigate his way through the military school’s fourth-class system.
“Having him, being able to walk across to his barracks and vent was huge for me,” Bradee said. “I’d been coming to games for three years watching my brother play, so this place felt like home to me, but I had to adjust to the knob year. It was a tough year, but I’m better for it coming out on the other side.”
