Defensive end Tariq Jones grew up in New Orleans, but did not experience a Big Easy life.
After Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast in 2005, Jones and his family scrambled for shelter in what is now Caesars Superdome.
“When the city was getting rebuilt, I stayed in trailers,” he recalled.
Seven years later, Hurricane Isaac blasted the area.
“Usual things — water cutoff, no heating system, real hot, real humid around that time, dealing with bugs,” Jones said.
Jones also grew up in a hard-scrabble neighborhood where he was prone to angry outbursts. A school counselor suggested re-directing his feistiness to football.
“I used to get in trouble a lot,” Jones said, adding the counselor “recommended I go out for Pop Warner. I played for this team, Willie Hall Panthers, next to my house. The rest is history.”
He thrived on defense, particularly as a pass rusher. As a McDonogh 35 Senior High School junior, he amassed 22 sacks. The quarterback hunter known as “Showtime” added 12 more sacks in eight games of the pandemic-abbreviated 2020 season. Feeling comfortable with then-UH assistant coaches Tony Hull and Dan Phillips, Jones committed to the Warriors without taking a recruiting visit.
Jones redshirted as a freshman in 2021 after playing in only two games. After the season, Todd Graham resigned, ending a controversial two-year tenure. Several Warriors entered the transfer portal.
“I was brand new to everything,” Jones said. “I didn’t know to leave or not. I decided to bet on myself and trust in God. I bet on myself, prayed, and now I’m still here.”
He played in 23 games combined in 2022 and 2023. Last season, he broke into the defensive-line rotation, starting seven games. He also has endured hydration issues leading to in-game ailments.
“I went through a lot of things that tested my mental, tested my spiritual, too,” Jones said. “I kept my faith and prayed on everything. Now I feel I’m in the best shape of my life.”
Jones was among the leaders during conditioning drills and player-run practices during the offseason. In preseason training, Jones sets up as the defensive end in the 4-2 front, battling offensive tackles and tight ends on the strong side while setting the edge, attacking running backs and stalking the quarterback.
“He’s an example of a guy who’s intentional, wants to be a good player, and his development was compounded through each minute of every practice the last four years,” said Jordan Pu‘u-Robinson, who coaches the defensive ends.
In June, associate head coach Chris Brown asked Jones to speak to middle-school-aged students participating in the Youth Challenge.
“When Tariq went up there, it was jaw dropping,” Brown said. “He talked about the type of life he came from, growing up in the ’hood in Louisiana, and all the things he’s seen. Now he’s telling the kids: ‘I made it out. I made choices, and now I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing in life.’ All of us were blown away. We never saw that side of Tariq before, where he showed his vulnerability. He showed that side of him.”
Of hurricanes and other setbacks, Jones said, “I see it as a testament just being able to go through any tough condition. I felt it helped build me as a man, helped build character. Whatever problem I face, I stay strong.”
Jones also said he is not motivated by material things.
“I’m grateful for the people around me — the coaching staff, the players, the whole community,” he said. “From the food to the people, it’s been nice. It was a real culture shock at first, and now it feels like home. I call this place my second home.”
Brown said Jones is “one of the most loved guys on the football team. He’s emerged as the leader of the defensive-end group. If there are any issues, we go to Tariq.”
