 "Photo: Samantha Waldroup for The Hilltop")
 "Photo: Samantha Waldroup for The Hilltop")
Jonas Randolph is a small player doing big things as he sets new records for the Mars Hill College Lions.
At 5’10” and 185 lbs., Jonas Randolph, son of Johnnie Mae Humphrey and Jonas Randolph Sr., grew up in a small town called Jasper in Hamilton County, Fla. Randolph has four siblings, two brothers and two sisters.
“Me, my brothers and cousins played a lot of backyard football with kids from the neighborhood. It definitely made me a lot tougher because there were no pads for protection,” Randolph said.
A sophomore, Randolph broke several school records this season, including most single-season rushing yards (1,804), single-season rushing touchdowns (19), single-season all-purpose touchdowns (19), rushing attempts in a single season (312), rushing attempts in a single game (44 rushes vs. Catawba), most points scored in a single game (24 twice vs. Newberry and Tusculum), and most points scored in a single season (114).
“The line actually did better than I thought. After the Gardner-Webb game, I thought they were a little suspect but I realized that Gardner-Webb was just better up front,” he told The Hilltop.
Randolph didn’t participate in organized football until he was in the fifth grade but he says that football was always his first love. He got his start on the defensive side of the ball as a defensive end. From there, Randolph continued spiraling upward.
Randolph started his high school career at Highland County High School as an outside linebacker. He was named All-State Honorable Mention as a sophomore at that position. Randolph’s junior year brought change as he transferred to Chiefland High School to play with his cousin.
During his time at Chiefland High School, he played under Coach Sam Howlland. Howlland realized how talented Randolph was and decided to play him on both sides of the ball.
“Coach Howlland was more than a coach to me; he was a father figure and always encouraged me to keep my head in the books,” he said. “He always pushed me and expected me to play at the highest level.”
Before his senior year, Howlland was offered a coaching job at Daleville High School in Daleville, Ala. Randolf decided to follow him and stayed his senior year with Howlland.
Daleville was a 5A school compared to his previous schools, which were both 2A.
Randolph said this gave him an opportunity to play at a more competitive level. His senior year at Daleville, Randolph was named All-State.
Like all high school athletes, Randolph wanted to play football at the Division-I level but failed to receive Division-I offers because of his ACT scores.
“I made a 17 on the ACT,” he said, “and I needed an 18 to receive Division-I offers.”
But Mars Hill College offered him a scholarship. Because Mars Hill College is a Division-II school, the required GPA and ACT score is lower. Randolph met the requirements and could play right away.
Last year, Randolph played behind MHC seniors George Washington and George Stripland, so he didn’t see much playing time. This season Randolph was the featured running back.
Despite of all his success this season, Randolph still thought it could have gone better. He said next fall he wants to be even more productive and finish the season on a better note.
“All I can remember is those three fumbles I had against Wingate in the last game of the season. Next season, I want to finish strong,” he said.
Randolph has dreams of going to the NFL. But for now, he’s here to play.
Be the first to comment on this article!