NC State wideout Darryl Jones, a Maryland transfer, learned how to be strong at a young age
RALEIGH — Darryl Jones didn't always recognize the lessons he was learning from his mother, Latanya, at a young age.
Living in a dangerous neighborhood just outside of Newark, New Jersey, Jones watched as a single mother did everything in her power to make ends meet for six children while saving enough money to find a safer place to live.
Jones witnessed the power of persistence from a woman he calls "my hero" as she built a new life for her family that allowed her only son to pursue his athletic dreams.
"She's the strongest lady I've ever known," Jones told the USA TODAY Network. "She's worked so hard, you know? And I feel like she needs a break. I want to be the one to work hard for my family."
Jones, a fifth-year senior who transferred to NC State from Maryland in January, has learned to use his mother's strength on the football field.
"Anytime something is hard, I remember that she's been through way harder stuff than anything I've ever done in football," he said. "It reminds me to stay consistent and work hard, and that everything will work out if I do that."
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NC State receiving corps
Consistent is a word that coach Dave Doeren has used to describe Jones during the first two weeks of fall practice. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound Jones missed spring camp due to a hamstring injury but has quickly shown he could be a viable third option at wide receiver behind Thayer Thomas and Devin Carter, who combined for 82 catches, 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2021.
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With the exception of Porter Rooks (23 catches, 298 yards), returning wide receivers Keyon Lesane, Anthony Smith and Julain Gray combined for 15 catches last fall. Jones has 23 career catches for 319 yards, but averages 13.9 yards a catch and could become a big-play threat for the Wolfpack.
"The best thing about Darryl right now is he’s been consistent every day,” Doeren said. “He’s been the same guy every day," Doeren told reporters Wednesday. "He’s a big, long guy who has great dimensions to him. He’s mature, has strong hands, and has helped us on special teams, too. We’re excited about his progression right now and he’s a guy who has earned a lot of trust so far in camp."
Finding a home in Raleigh
Jones left Maryland coming off the best outing of his college career.
During a 54-10 New Era Pinstripe Bowl win against Virginia Tech, Jones had a career-high 111 receiving yards and two touchdowns before deciding to transfer to NC State.
There were normal nerves about starting over in a new place. Jones was reunited with wide receivers coach Joker Phillips, who coached him at Maryland, but it was the early embrace by his new teammates that validated his transfer.
"The first time I walked into the wide receiver room, they were all waiting for me," Jones said with a large grin stretched across his face. "They made me feel like I belonged."
He credited one wide receiver for helping him get up to speed as the Wolfpack gear up for the 2022 season. NC State was ranked No. 13 in the preseason AP Poll and is among the favorites to win an Atlantic Coast Conference title.
"Devin Carter really helped me every step of the way and so did (quarterback) Devin Leary," Jones said. "They wanted me to get up to speed as fast as we could so we could get rolling. It's a good feeling to know that guys want you to succeed because it will help the team."
David Thompson is an award-winning reporter for the USA Today Network covering NC State and Duke athletics. He can be reached at dthompson1@gannett.com, at 828-231-1747, or on Twitter at @daveth89.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Could WR Darryl Jones be a breakout star for NC State football?
