Athlete Spotlight: Paul Jones III #9

SPORTS: Football

Tell us your story. What life experiences have impacted your journey? What motivates you? What is your “why"?

One thing that really impacted my journey is knowing how far my father and grandfather went in football. My grandfather was a star running back at his high school but never went to college because of different circumstances. My dad was also a great player, a star scat back at his high school, and he went on to play junior college football at Hudson Valley, but he ended up leaving before graduating. Seeing how talented they both were, but knowing that a few small yet important things kept them from reaching their full potential, really stayed with me. Because of that, I always push myself to work as hard as I can and stay on top of everything on and off the field. Their stories motivate me every day because I want to take the opportunity they didn’t get to fully finish. I play for them as much as I play for myself. Now being signed to play quarterback at Tennessee State University at the Division I level means a lot to me. It shows that the hard work, discipline, and sacrifices have been worth it, and it motivates me to keep going even harder. My “why” is my family and the legacy they started, and I want to carry that forward and make the most of the opportunity in front of me.

What role does your faith play in your life and in your sports career?

My faith plays the most important role in my life and in my sports career. I truly believe I wouldn’t be anywhere without the man above guiding me. Growing up in church at Canaan Baptist Church, I was always taught to keep God first in everything I do, and that if you trust Him anything can happen. There’s a verse that always sticks with me: “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” That reminds me to stay focused on God before anything else, and everything else will fall into place. When it comes to football, my faith keeps me grounded. It reminds me to stay humble, work hard, and trust God’s plan for my life. No matter the highs or the lows, I know He’s guiding my path and putting me exactly where I’m supposed to be.

Do you have a favorite Bible verse? If so, which one and why?

“Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” — Matthew 6:33 It is from the Gospel of Matthew in the Bible, where Jesus Christ is teaching about trusting God and putting Him first in life. The message is that when you focus on God and live the right way, He will provide what you need. It’s a strong verse to use when talking about your faith because it shows that your success and opportunities come from keeping God first.

What accomplishment are you most proud of personally and athletically (name one of each)?

One accomplishment I’m most proud of personally is staying disciplined and focused on my goals while keeping my faith first. Growing up I was always taught to stay on top of everything and work hard no matter what. Being able to stay focused, keep pushing through challenges, and trust God’s plan for my life is something I take a lot of pride in. Athletically, the accomplishment I’m most proud of is being signed to Tennessee State University to play quarterback at the Division I level. All the long hours of training, practicing, and believing in myself paid off. It means a lot to me because it shows that the work I put in is taking me somewhere, and it’s also a way for me to continue the football legacy that my father and grandfather started.

What do you feel sets you apart from your competition and what skills do you currently possess that are your biggest assets?

What sets me apart from my competition is my faith, my running ability for my position, and my understanding of the game and life. My faith keeps me grounded and focused no matter what situation I’m in. Another thing that separates me is my running ability as a quarterback. I can make plays with my legs when things break down, extend plays, and create opportunities for my team. That versatility makes me dangerous because defenses have to account for both my arm and my ability to run. I also believe one of my biggest assets is my smarts of the game and life. I study the game, understand situations, and try to make the best decisions on the field. Off the field, I stay disciplined and focused on my goals, which helps me stay prepared for every opportunity that comes my way.

What skills are you most focused on improving?

The skills I’m most focused on improving right now are getting stronger than I already am and continuing to become the best version of myself. I know that strength is a big part of competing at the next level, so I’m focused on building my body and getting more powerful so I can perform at my best. I’m also focused on learning as much football as I possibly can. I want to keep studying the game, understanding defenses, and improving my decision-making as a quarterback. The more I learn and grow physically and mentally, the better player and leader I can be for my team.

Tell us what a typical day or week is like for you:

A typical day for me is built around staying disciplined and getting better every day. Most of my time is spent focusing on school, making sure I stay on top of my work and handle my responsibilities in the classroom. Outside of school, I spend a lot of time working out and training so I can keep improving physically and be ready for the next level. I also spend time watching film and studying the game so I can grow mentally as a quarterback. Right now I’ve been watching film on Jackson State because that’s who we play week 1. I like to study defenses, understand their tendencies, and learn as much about the game as possible so I’m prepared when it’s time to compete.

What are your plans for the future and what is your number one objective for the next year / season?

My plans for the future are to have a great freshman year at Tennessee State University and continue developing as a quarterback and as a person. I want to take full advantage of the opportunity I’ve been given, work hard every day, and do everything I can to help my team succeed. My number one objective for the next year and season is to keep growing, learning the game at a higher level, and making the most of my freshman year. I want to prove to myself and others that I belong at this level. Another big goal for me is to start the success for my family. I want to be the one who begins building generational wealth and opens doors for the people who come after me. Everything I do is bigger than just me — it’s about my family and creating a better future for them.

What is the biggest challenge you see in achieving your upcoming goal or where could you use help?

The biggest thing when it comes to achieving my upcoming goals is continuing to stay focused and trusting the process. I don’t really see challenges as things that can stop me, because I truly believe that with God anything is possible. My faith gives me confidence that if I keep working hard, staying disciplined, and trusting God’s plan, everything will happen the way it’s supposed to. I believe He will allow me to achieve what I’m working for as long as I keep putting in the work and keeping Him first in everything I do.

What words of advice do you have for younger athletes that are up and coming?

Trust in the man above and he will provide and protect !

Who was your favorite player growing up or who's style of play do you most admire?

My favorite players are Lamar Jackson and Mike Vick 

What one question would you have for your favorite athlete if they were sitting here now?

What are somethings you did when others wasn’t looking! 

Is there anything else you would like to share with the community?

I come from Newark NJ so if I can do it you can!