Oklahoma Sooners QB Landry Jones: Through the eyes of his grandparents, part 3

October 3, 2:11 PMOklahoma Sooners Football ExaminerBryan Waters

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QB Landry Jones has a moustache that Sooner fans have taken 
to heart in a "Fear the Stache" campaign. Image: www.imao.us

Inside the unpretentious living room of their Granite, OK home, Jo and Fred Jones exude a genuine love for their grandson, Landry Jones.  Jones, a redshirt freshman quarterback for No. 8 Oklahoma, faces his biggest career test tonight when the Sooners play No. 17 Miami, FL in Land Shark Stadium in Miami.

Part 1 here

Part 2 here

How Landry Ended Up at OU

Fred:  "He had so many offers.  He did some soul searching.  He really liked Colorado and their coach (Dan Hawkins).  He went to OU at the 11th hour.  He met with Josh Heupel in Norman and of course Josh went to Artesia.  Landry really likes Josh and (Head Coach) Bob Stoops.  They hang the moon for him."

Their Impressions of Landry Being at OU

Jo:  "Oh, my.  I'm very proud of him.  I think he's great.  It's strange, watching him on TV.  I don't know how to explain it...(she paused)....he's playing at OU!  After the BYU game, I texted him and said, 'Saw you on TV.'"

Fred:  "His time belongs to OU.  Not much time for life outside football.  Josh Heupel is a big reason Landry went to OU.  Landry really liked the way Josh treated him.  But Landry says it's a little different now.  That after he got there and the competition started, Heupel changed a lot.  He says Josh can make you feel like a low-down dog.  But he says it's good for him."

Landry and OU Women's Basketball Player and Girlfriend Whitney Hand

Fred:  "He's dating that young Hand girl, Whitney.  Her training is tight.  They don't get to spend a lot of time together.  I know that Whitney bloodied his nose playing 21 on the basketball court. It was just the two of them. He complained, so she said, 'You're in my territory now.'  Now they just play beach volleyball.  They put that restriction on themselves."

On Tonight's Game vs. Miami

Fred:  "Remember we're the Monday morning quarterbacks here.  All we have is opinions.  I talked to Kevin yesterday.  He said, 'I'm not nervous at all.  But I can tell you how many hours and minutes and seconds until game time.'"

How Will Landry Handle the Pressure From Miami's Front 7?

Fred:  "I don't think it matters if it were the New York Giants (rushing him).  He'd be the same guy.  From my opinion observing him in high school, I've seen him complete 50 or 60 yard passes with 4 or 5 guys all over him.  I know it's different in college because he'll get hit.  But he'll execute what the coaches call.  Miami will have to put him to the ground or he'll complete passes if the receivers are open.  Now I know that's braggin'.  I spoke with him last night (Thursday night, before the Sooners left for Miami Friday morning).  He was having dinner with friends.  Says he's feeling good."

On the Increased Publicity Landry Will Get if OU Beats Miami

Fred:  "He's kinda impervious to all that.  He won't even share things with his parents.  Like accolades, other people tell his parents.  He just doesn't talk about those things."

On Whether They Were Surprised How He's Stepped into Bradford's Big Shoes

Fred: "Not at all.  That's just second nature with Landry and his parents.  I heard Landry say this on TV, 'I'm living a dream.'  But he expected this dream to happen.  I'm not implying he's Superman.  He's not.  But his work ethic is unbelievable."

Stepping In / Stepping Out

Fred:  "I asked him before the season started, 'When are you going to step in for Sam?'  He answered, 'I guess when he retires.'  He'll go back to the bench gracefully, but not in his heart. He'll want to play.  But he'll be respectful of people's feelings."

Jo:  "Landry says Sam helps him a lot."

Fred:  "He tells me he learns a lot by watching Sam's feet, his posture, his poise."

The Stache

Fred:   "This moustache thing, I don't know much about that."

Jo:  "Magen is going to watch it (the Miami game) somewhere in Dallas and they're all going to wear fake moustaches."  

Fred:  "He didn't have one in high school, I know that.  (Artesia Head Coach) Cooper (Henderson) wouldn't allow that.  They had a strict dress code and grooming habits."

Jo:  "When I saw it against BYU, it took me by surprise.  I had no idea.  After the game I texted him and said, 'Love the stache.'  He texted me back, 'Tell that to my Dad.'"

 For more info: 

Part 1 of this story

Part 2 of this story

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