He has done it all as a collegiate athlete.Now he’s taking his skills to the next level.Chad Jones was a multi-sport star at LSU. He was a key contributor to the 2007 national champion LSU football team. As a freshman on the team, Jones amassed 34 tackles, two sacks, one interception and a forced fumble on Alabama quarterback John Parker Wilson that gave LSU the opportunity to score the go-ahead touchdown with about a minute remaining in the game.But Jones also played a role as a relief pitcher on the 2009 national champion LSU baseball team. Jones, nicknamed “Dreadlocks of Doom” for the combination of his dreadlock hairstyle and intimidating size on the mound, was a reliable reliever late in the season, especially in the College World Series, where he threw three perfect innings.But Jones declared in January he was ready to take his athletic abilities to the next level by forgoing his last two seasons of baseball and his senior season of collegiate football to enter the 2010 NFL Draft.Local NFL draft analyst Mike Detillier said he was not surprised at Jones’ decision to turn pro early.”Watching the Capital One Bowl, I figured this was the last time he was ever going to put on an LSU uniform,” Detillier said. “He was either going to play pro baseball or he was going to come out early.”But Detillier, who believes Jones will be a second- or third-round pick, does not necessarily think it was the right decision.”He wasn’t going to be a first-round pick,” Detillier said. “I’ve always felt that unless finances were involved that you should come back and play your senior season. But a lot of times kids feel like they want to play in the NFL, and it’s time for them to move on. I think that happened with Chad.”Jones participated in both the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis and LSU’s Pro Day. His numbers at Pro Day were better than what he posted at the Combine. Jones said he was very pleased with his increased reps on bench press at Pro Day.”I did nine in Indianapolis, and I did 11 today, and that just shows improvement,” Jones said. “So I think I showed that I definitely can get stronger.”One question many scouts have had for Jones is his dedication to football. Jones was drafted out of high school in the 18th round of the MLB draft, and many thought he would pursue a baseball career after college.Jones said he told the scouts it was not an issue, and his baseball days are behind him.”I told them that I had a great baseball run, and I played at the highest level against the best teams and the best players. So I think I exceeded my baseball expectations,” Jones said. “Now I think it’s time to sit down and focus on football so I can reach those highest limits in football.”Detillier has high expectations for Jones in the NFL because of his physical nature and knack for bone-crushing hits.”He’s a great athlete, but he’s really a very physical player,” Detillier said. “You see it in his play in run defense, and you see it in his play when a receiver crosses his path.”Jones, who has heard rumors of possibly being drafted by the New Orleans Saints, said he would be thrilled to have the opportunity to play so close to home.”Being home would be great,” Jones said. “Being Louisiana homegrown would be great for the city and great for the state. And I know my parents would be happy because they would be able to come to every home game. So yeah, that definitely looks good.”
 
 
 
—-Contact Rob Landry at [email protected]