by Miranda G. McLeod
Staff Writer
Marcedes Lewis, Maurice Drew-Jones and Clint Ingram lived in their training camp hotel rooms until late last week and the Jaguars’ top three draft picks haven’t had too much time to explore Jacksonville. But all three will have to find somewhere to live before the first regular season game Sept. 10 against the Dallas Cowboys.
Most Jaguars players use Prudential Network Realty to find a home. Prudential is a major sponsor of the Jags and Tom Petway, a minority owner of the team, is also co-founder of Prudential.
Lewis, the team’s top pick from UCLA and 28th overall, said he hasn’t put too much thought into where he will live after the preseason. Especially now that he’s injured, Lewis’ focus remains on the field and getting back on it. He hasn’t pinpointed an exact location yet, but said the Southside area appeals to him. If he has to, Lewis said he will use all the time in the hotel to find a place.
Ingram’s looking into a place on the Southside, also.
“It’s the first place I learned, and I liked it,” said Ingram, a third-round pick from Oklahoma.
He won’t be buying though, he’ll rent first.
Drew-Jones is looking all around Jacksonville and said he’s seen many nice areas with his Prudential agent.
“They know more than I do,” admitted Drew-Jones, another former UCLA player who was taken in the second round.
He’s looking at the Southside area, noting that the Beaches are just too far away from Downtown.
“I don’t want an hour drive (to work),” he said.
Drew-Jones said he’ll buy a house because it’s a great investment.
“You gotta go big,” he said. “Why not?”
Drew-Jones also said it’ll just be him and his cousin living in whatever house they choose, but he knows they want a pool and it has to be screened in to “keep the gators out,” he said.
The house will also need a media room to watch game film and a “little kitchen.”
But can Drew-Jones cook?
“I can burn some stuff,” he said.