2022 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Braxton Jones, OT, Southern Utah University

Name: Braxton Jones
Position: Left Tackle (can play both)
College: Southern Utah University
Height: 6’5
Weight: 315
Twitter: @braxtonjones742
Instagram: @bjones_52

What makes you a top prospect at your position in the 2022 NFL Draft?

My desire to be detail-oriented on and off the field makes me a top prospect. This is an important trait as an offensive lineman because the small details like your footwork and hand placement is an important factor that can lead to a win or loss. I pride myself on constantly improving my mastery of OLine play. My competitive spirit helps me to not take a loss for an answer. 

At what age were you first interested in the sport of football?

Growing up I watched lots of sports, football was always my favorite. At the age of four, I fell in love with the ravens, and ever since then, I have been interested in the sport of football.  

What is one thing that NFL teams should know about you?

I am a coachable player and work to get better every day in every aspect of my game. I take coaching points, watch film of myself, then I watch top tackles in the league doing it correctly and finally applying it to my craft.

If you could donate to one cause in the world, what would it be?

If I could donate to one cause in the world it would be the single parent project. My mom raised me on her own and though we struggled at some point she has helped shaped me into the man I am today. This cause will help me give back to all the single parents that provide everything for their child.

What is the best advice you have ever received?

“When you are green you grow, when you are ripe you rot.”

As a freshman with little success, I was told this by my coach, Fernandez, and it has stuck with me ever since. To me, this quote has meant that I always must wake up with a growth mindset and never be comfortable where I am at. 

Who was your childhood hero?

As a child wanting to do everything all the other kids were doing but not having enough money my mom always found a way to make my life seem as normal as everyone else. So, therefore, my childhood hero would be my mom knowing she worked as hard as she could to make me happy.

Who is the most underrated teammate in your locker room at your school?

Collin Parrish is the most underrated teammate in our locker room. The reason Collin is the most underrated teammate is that he is a complete teammate on and off the field. He has been a great friend of mine that has helped me a lot off the field by giving me great advice. Collin does not get the credit he deserves for being such a great teammate.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

My biggest pet peeve is sharing food or when people take food off my plate. This pet peeve stems from being an only child most of my life and my mom would always grab food off my plate. 

Overcoming adversity is what defines character, what was the hardest moment in your life to overcome?

One of the toughest moments in my life is when I had to decide if I wanted a relationship with my father or not. It was one of the hardest decisions I have had to make in my life. I overcame adversity by solving the problems my father and I had and working to grow together.

Tell me something about your school and why it is so special to you?

Southern Utah has always been an underdog school. The reason this is special to me is that all you know is to put your head down and constantly work. There is no time to complain or worry about what you could have. Nothing is given to you here, every time you step on the field it’s going to be a fight.

What is your favorite snack food?

Cereal is my favorite snack food. 

What is the funnest part of football?

The funnest part of football for me is the feeling I get when I have a key block that sends one of my teammates to the endzone. 

If you could sell yourself in one sentence what would you say?

I am a great athlete with great technique. 

If you could compare your play to one player in the NFL who would it be?

I would compare myself to Tyron Smith because of the way he approaches technique and details of the game. 

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would it be and why?

1. Juice Wrld
2. Tyron Smith
3. Kobe Bryant

All these people had successful careers and I would love to reap what’s on their mind and the keys to how they got successful in their respective careers.