Navy defensive end Joshua Jones, a projected starter for the Midshipmen, has decided to leave the team. According to head coach Ken Niumatalolo, Jones is leaving the team so he can focus on graduating from the academy.
In an article posted on SBNation.com, Niumatalolo gave this statement.
He came and spoke to me prior to the break. He had some things going on in the hall. He's a great kid. He's trying to take care of his swimming test and some other things you have to do to graduate here. It started to weigh down on him. Not only the academics, but you're trying to pass all your physical requirements and try to come out here and be the best player you can be.
I just think the overall burden of it, especially now that he's getting close to graduating. I just thought it became too much for him. He's a great young man and we're going to miss him.
Considering that playing football is already a huge burden with the practices and workouts, those responsibilities combined with the commitments to a service academy can be overwhelming. With Jones leaving the team, the Midshipmen have lost three of their top five defensive lineman from last season.
Jones played in eight games off the bench last season recording 18 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and a sack.
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