Get to Know Jonathan Massey
By Craig HaubertA player's senior year can be an exciting and crazy time. When you are one of the top recruits in the country, you have friends, family, colleges and the media all tugging for your attention. Well if that is not enough, add one of the most devastating hurricanes in the history of the United States to the equation. Wide receiver/tight end Jonathan Massey out of Gautier, Mississippi is dealing with all those factors.
Massey, who lives in the southern tip of Mississippi, counts himself as one of the lucky ones. His house and family survived Hurricane Katrina with little damage, but it is still affecting his take on his senior year. Due to the destruction in the area, his team's senior season was pushed back two weeks and a match-up versus fellow instate ESPN 150 member Richard Dickson and his school Ocean Springs was cancelled. To make up for lost time in school, Jonathan and his classmates have begun to attend school for an extra hour each day so they can graduate on schedule.
While schedules and life off the field has been an adjustment, one thing that has not changed is Massey's ability to shine in between the white lines. Massey, who many recruiters project as a tight end at the college level, has been causing havoc for opposing defenses from several positions on offense. At an athletic 6-foot-3 and over 230 pounds, Massey is a tough match-up for most high school defensive backs. However, if he can't make an opponent pay on offense, he will make them pay by booming the ball on fourth down on a punt. Massey is also a very accomplished two-step punter who is averaging 47 yards per punt. While he has a strong leg, make no mistake about it -- recruiters want him for his athletic and explosive ability as a receiver.
This is a player who runs excellent routes and can get deep. He is a threat with the ball in his hands and tough match-up for defenders in the red zone because of his ability to elevate and go up and get the ball. The funny thing about Massey is up until recently, he always considered himself an average ball carrier. Not until this past summer did he recognize the talent he had when he started to draw a lot of attention from recruiters.
One member of his family who he has to turn for help and questions about all the attention he is now getting is his older brother Mario Edwards. He was a stand-out corner for the Florida State Seminoles in the late nineties and a sixth round pick of the Dallas Cowboys in the 2000 NFL draft. Edwards, whom Massey has trained with at times, is someone that he speaks with three to four times a week. In their conversations, Edwards always slips something in about the 'Noles, but he has given his little brother other less biased advice.
Says Massey, "He reminds me to keep a level head, find the right school that is the right fit for me, and to make sure that the decision I make is one that is going to put me in the best situation possible."
There are six schools at this time that Massey feels could be a good fit for him: Ole Miss, Vanderbilt, Southern Miss, Clemson, Florida State and Auburn. He has four visits stet at this time and will be visiting Ole Miss on December 2nd, Vandy the following weekend, Southern Miss the weekend after that, and Clemson on January 13th. While Massey is in no rush to make a decision, he does have a mental checklist of things he will be looking at as he narrows down these schools. Things he will be considering are how early he can get playing time, how he fits into the offensive scheme, how he gets along with the coaches, the atmosphere and education he can get. Basically, he is going to look into everything to make sure he makes the right decision. Massey will have help in picking the right school.
"My parents are going on most of my visits, and I will be talking to my brother about what I like and don't like and get his input," says Massey. "I will take everyone's advice, sit down and think about myself and make what I feel is the best choice."
While which school will land Massey is still up for grabs, it seems there is little doubt this athletic and intelligent player with a plan will make the wrong decision.
Massey Q&A
Scouts Inc.: What is your favorite NFL team?
Jonathan Massey: Any team my brother (Mario Edwards) is playing for, if not, the Dallas Cowboys.
Scouts Inc.: Who is your favorite player?
Massey: My brother and Terrell Owens.
Scouts Inc.: Whose play do you use as a model for yours?
Massey: I look at Antonio Gates, Terrell Owens, Tony Gonzalez and Jimmy Smith because they make the tough catch, they're physical, they're hard working and when you put the ball up in the air, they are going to go get it.
Scouts Inc.: What is it about your position that you love?
Massey: Knowing what I can make happen with the ball in my hands. Making a big play or score. When it is 3rd down and we need yards, I like to be the one to get the ball and make things happen.
Scouts Inc.: Do you have a pregame ritual?
Massey: The quarterback and I say a prayer at one goalpost then jog down to the other and say another prayer, then take it (into the locker room).
Scouts Inc.: What are your goals for your senior season?
Massey: Team goal is to make it to the state 4A championship (lost in the 1st round last year). Personally, to make sure I do what it takes to help the team reach our goal.
Scouts Inc.: Career goals after football?
Massey: Hopefully play in the NFL but also to get into sports medicine.
Scouts Inc.: It is the last play of the game from the opponent's 15-yard line and you need a touchdown to win. What route are you telling the coach to call so you know you will score?
Massey: A fade route.
Craig Haubert is a recruiting coordinator for Scouts Inc.
