Jarrian Jones making plays, looking for consistency in FSU secondary
It’s been quite awhile since Jarrian Jones has felt this good.
Jones, a redshirt sophomore cornerback from Flowood, Miss., enters his first full offseason at Florida State as healthy as he’s been in his college career after an injury-prone first two seasons at both Mississippi State and FSU.
“This is the best I’ve felt since I’ve been in college,” Jones said.
“My freshman year, I broke my hand. Last year, I went through a lot of injuries. This is the best I’ve felt ever since I’ve ever been in college and I’m playing better than I ever have in college…
“I feel like I can move again. I feel better than I’ve ever felt before. I feel like I can use my whole body and play how I’m supposed to play.”
Jones committed to FSU last June, joining MSU teammate Fabian Lovett who announced he had signed to transfer to the Seminoles just days before in late May.
It seemed at the time to be an encouraging transfer pickup after Jones had appeared in 11 games with one start at Mississippi State as a freshman in 2019.
Injuries kept Jones from being 100% during his first season with the Seminoles, but he still managed to appear in eight games and make three starts during the 2020 season.
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He got a fresh start for his first full offseason in FSU’s strength and conditioning program in January and he’s made the most of the opportunity.
“I think he’s had a really good offseason. You’ve seen where he’s at, his physical development is extremely, extremely impressive. He’s over 190 pounds, been working hard in the weight room,” FSU head coach Mike Norvell said.
“His strength numbers have skyrocketed here this offseason and you’re seeing that confidence really show up here in the early part of spring season. It’s been great to see that confidence.”
Per FSU defensive coordinator Adam Fuller’s Mission Takeaway tweets he sends out after each practice, Jones has been responsible for four turnovers through FSU’s eight practices so far this spring. He’s recorded three interceptions and forced one fumble.
“I hope he’s onto something, that would be great,” Fuller said of Jones.
“He’s showed up with a good attitude. He’s got a good skill set. He’s put on good weight, which is going to help him through the course of the year. He’s been really good around the ball, better with his press technique. Just continuing to put him in those situations as a blitzer, as a run fitter. Getting all those techniques with him comfortable.”
While the upside and playmaking ability have both been there, FSU defensive backs coach is challenging Jones to bring that same level of energy and execution consistently.
“Jarrian is a kid that is everything you want athletically in a corner. The thing I continue to emphasize with him is just being consistent with his technique each and every play,” Woodson said.
“One play, he’ll be great technique-wise and the next he’ll come back and just be sloppy with his footwork. The more that he can continue to be consistent each and every play, the more productive he’s going to be. When he’s fundamentally sound on a play and it comes his way, he makes the play. But when he gets sloppy with his footwork and doesn’t pay attention to details in terms of split recognition, leverage and everything that goes with it is when he doesn’t make the play.
“Consistency is the key for Jarrian, but he adds a lot of value to the group and I’m continuing to see him progress each and every day.”
Rice sidelined for potentially an extended time
FSU may be without one of its defensive leaders for an extended period of time.
Norvell confirmed Thursday that sixth-year senior linebacker Emmett Rice, who elected to use the extra year of eligibility granted by the NCAA to return in 2021, suffered an undisclosed injury earlier this week that could keep him out for awhile.
“Emmett went down the other day. Obviously we’re looking, going through the process of evaluating exactly where that’s at,” Norvell said.
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“He’ll probably be out for a little while, probably an extended period. But we’re still going to wait to get all that before we, I guess, talk about what that looks like.”
Rice was a leader in the middle of the FSU defense last season and grew substantially in his performance over the course of the 2020 season.
If his absence were to potentially carry into the start of the 2021 season, it would force redshirt freshmen Stephen Dix Jr. and D.J. Lundy into larger roles, like they assumed for stretches of the 2020 season.
FSU’s scrimmage today again open to public
Saturday’s football practice inside Doak Campbell Stadium will be open to the public.
All attendees must enter through Gate C, which will open at 9 a.m., and sit on the west side of the stadium. Masks are required while in the stadium, and social distancing protocols will be in place. The Doak Campbell Stadium clear bag policy will be in effect.
Photos and videos will not be permitted from the stands. The practice is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m., and following the scrimmage fans in attendance will have the opportunity to take photos on Bobby Bowden Field. Access to the field will begin after all student-athletes, coaches and staff have cleared the field.
FSU scrimmage open to public
When: Saturday, 10 a.m.
Where: Doak Campbell Stadium
How: Enter through Gate C starting at 9 a.m, Masks and social distancing required.
Reach Curt Weiler at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter @CurtMWeiler.
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