Going into spring ball, Navy was already down a pair of defensive ends -- Jabaree Tuani to graduation and Jamel Dobbs to undetermined medical condition -- and now, they’ll be down one more.
The academy announced today that Joshua Jones, listed as a starting DE on the latest depth chart, was leaving the football team to concentrate on his academics and graduation.
“He came and spoke to me prior to the break. He had some things going on in the hall,” Ken Niumatalolo said in a statement. “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,” Niumatalolo said. “I just thought it became too much for him. He’s a great young man and we’re going to miss him.”
Jones played in nine games last season, starting the final five, during which time he had 25 tackles (3.5 for loss) and a sack.