The holes exposed in Colorado State University's secondary got a bit larger Wednesday when it was announced that junior free safety Landon Jones has quit the team.
Jones, a former all-state player from Littleton's Columbine High School, cleaned out his locker Tuesday after meeting with Rams coach Sonny Lubick. Jones, who could not be reached for comment, cited personal reasons for leaving the program one game into his fourth year in the program.
"He came to me after the first day of fall camp and told me he wanted to quit, and I talked him out of it," Lubick said. "He's just tired of playing football, and he wants to move on."
Jones' departure came three days after the CSU secondary was burned for 402 passing yards and four touchdowns in a 42-35 loss to the University of Colorado. Jones started that game, recording three tackles and recovering a fumble.
Jones and strong safety Benny Mastropaolo missed several assignments during that game, allowing CU to score on three long touchdown passes. Lubick, however, said Jones' decision did not appear to be based on his performance against CU.
Jones had been in and out of the lineup last year starting the first five games and recording 41 tackles. He also played on special teams as a redshirt freshman and sophomore.
Lubick said Jones hopes to graduate in December with a degree in business marketing. He carries a 3.22 grade point average and was a two-time Academic all-Mountain West Conference pick.
The move was not a surprise to Jones' teammates. He apparently had expressed his unhappiness on a number of occasions, and he was one of the few upperclassmen who did not fully participate in summer workouts.
"I wasn't surprised when I saw that his locker had been cleaned out," CSU quarterback Bradlee Van Pelt said. "You could tell he just wasn't into football any more. I never questioned his dedication when he was on the field, but you could tell something was up when he didn't do the summer program. He just lost that passion you need."
With Jones gone, second-year sophomore Adam Hayward is expected to start at strong safety Saturday against California, with Mastropaolo moving to Jones' spot at free safety. Redshirt freshman Lukas Davis also is expected to get some time at free safety.
Hayward said he has spoken with Jones on several occasions and was aware that he was unhappy.
"Landon was ready to put his cleats away," Hayward said. "I wish him nothing but the best."
Hayward has played mostly on special teams his first two years but had been knocking on the door for a starting job. After the secondary meltdown against CU, coaches decided it was time to shake up the lineup.
"It was depressing; it made me sick to my stomach," Hayward said of watching the CU passing display. "It wasn't my time yet to go out there and play, but now it is. I'm excited."
CSU secondary coach James Ward said he expected a better performance this week against the Golden Bears, even with a new starter.
"The guys understood that we needed two solid days of practice to get back on track, and they have done that," Ward said. "We got back to the fundamentals, got back to hard work. But the big test is Saturday."
With Jones gone and Hayward and Davis moving up on the depth chart, sophomore Miles Kochevar has been promoted to backup safety. Kochevar, a former all-starter from Fruita, already plays on several special teams.
Jones, a former all-state player from Littleton's Columbine High School, cleaned out his locker Tuesday after meeting with Rams coach Sonny Lubick. Jones, who could not be reached for comment, cited personal reasons for leaving the program one game into his fourth year in the program.
"He came to me after the first day of fall camp and told me he wanted to quit, and I talked him out of it," Lubick said. "He's just tired of playing football, and he wants to move on."
Jones' departure came three days after the CSU secondary was burned for 402 passing yards and four touchdowns in a 42-35 loss to the University of Colorado. Jones started that game, recording three tackles and recovering a fumble.
Jones and strong safety Benny Mastropaolo missed several assignments during that game, allowing CU to score on three long touchdown passes. Lubick, however, said Jones' decision did not appear to be based on his performance against CU.
Jones had been in and out of the lineup last year starting the first five games and recording 41 tackles. He also played on special teams as a redshirt freshman and sophomore.
Lubick said Jones hopes to graduate in December with a degree in business marketing. He carries a 3.22 grade point average and was a two-time Academic all-Mountain West Conference pick.
The move was not a surprise to Jones' teammates. He apparently had expressed his unhappiness on a number of occasions, and he was one of the few upperclassmen who did not fully participate in summer workouts.
"I wasn't surprised when I saw that his locker had been cleaned out," CSU quarterback Bradlee Van Pelt said. "You could tell he just wasn't into football any more. I never questioned his dedication when he was on the field, but you could tell something was up when he didn't do the summer program. He just lost that passion you need."
With Jones gone, second-year sophomore Adam Hayward is expected to start at strong safety Saturday against California, with Mastropaolo moving to Jones' spot at free safety. Redshirt freshman Lukas Davis also is expected to get some time at free safety.
Hayward said he has spoken with Jones on several occasions and was aware that he was unhappy.
"Landon was ready to put his cleats away," Hayward said. "I wish him nothing but the best."
Hayward has played mostly on special teams his first two years but had been knocking on the door for a starting job. After the secondary meltdown against CU, coaches decided it was time to shake up the lineup.
"It was depressing; it made me sick to my stomach," Hayward said of watching the CU passing display. "It wasn't my time yet to go out there and play, but now it is. I'm excited."
CSU secondary coach James Ward said he expected a better performance this week against the Golden Bears, even with a new starter.
"The guys understood that we needed two solid days of practice to get back on track, and they have done that," Ward said. "We got back to the fundamentals, got back to hard work. But the big test is Saturday."
With Jones gone and Hayward and Davis moving up on the depth chart, sophomore Miles Kochevar has been promoted to backup safety. Kochevar, a former all-starter from Fruita, already plays on several special teams.
