JACKSONVILLE – Jarrian Jones, a rookie cornerback from Florida State, grew up a Jaguars fan. So when offered the chance to spend some time in town during the pre-draft process, he made his way from Tallahassee and soaked up the experience with his childhood team. But he isn't just a fan. He's a talented defensive back who can play inside at nickel or outside on the edge – and he has been prepared for his professional career by some of the best defensive backs to play in the state of Florida. His natural energy and enthusiasm are prerequisites to play cornerback in the NFL, where being on an island against talented receivers requires great passion to play.
Q: What was it about Jacksonville that made you want to be here?
A: Growing up, I was a big Maurice Jones-Drew fan. And then over the years of my being a Jags fan, Jalen Ramsey came here, so that was a big, big reason. I wanted him to come here, so I could follow my team and just follow what he did. Tyson Campbell's high school coach, Pat Surtain (Sr.), was my college defensive backs coach [at Florida State], so I used to watch a lot of Tyson Campbell. Now, Darnell Savage being here, Andre Cisco being here, they're some of the best at their position doing it, and just being able to be around them every day – and then just being in Florida, the city of Jacksonville, everything – it all just came full circle for me.
Q: So you're happy to be in the NFL, but you're happier because you happen to be in Jacksonville?
A: Being in the NFL was amazing. But being in Jacksonville just put the ice cream, the cherry, the whipped cream, everything on top. It's great to be a Jaguar.
Q: Where does this big personality, this joyful exuberance that you give off, come from?
A:Early in my college career I used to be a big perfectionist. Everything had to be a certain way. I was real hard on myself about a lot of stuff. But going into my junior year, I had a great coach, coach [FSU defensive coordinator] Adam Fuller, and Pat Surtain, they let me know that everything is not going to be perfect. They told me, 'Have fun every day and be you, because you have something in you that you can't teach.' I live through that every day. Every day just wake up, have fun, give every day my best, and whatever outcome comes with that, I know I can live with it because I give everything I had. So that's where the energy comes from.
Q: You're a few weeks into your professional career so far. How has training camp and the preseason gone from your perspective?
A: I think I've had a great camp. I've learned a lot. I'm really learning a lot about how the NFL goes. My defensive coordinator, Ryan Nielsen, my defensive backs coaches, they teach me a lot. I'm learning a lot, and obviously [Jaguars special teams coach] Luke [Thompson], he's teaching me a lot on the special teams side of thing. I'm around a lot of great guys, great players and I'm able to really piggyback off of them and learn a lot. They're molding me into a professional football player and adding some grit, because you know you have to have that on Sundays.
Q: There's a lot of energy on that defense. What is it about this group of guys that fuels that energy, that attitude?
A: I think the belief in what we're doing on defense, and Coach Nielsen and his staff and everything they brought. I think you see just a bunch of young guys just playing free, playing like we know exactly what we're doing, exactly how to get it done. We know the technique, and we're just out there having fun. We do all the preparation through the week to get to practice or the game or whatever it is we're doing. And when you get to the game, it's supposed to be free. It's supposed to be second nature. Now you're starting to see the results of that belief and that's where the attitude comes from.
Q: Who's the biggest influence on Jarrian Jones? Who's the person that's meant the most to who you are today?
A: I would say [former FSU and NFL cornerback] Terrell Buckley. He was very big in my life, and molded me into what I am today. Then in recent years, Pat Surtain. I speak with him a lot. He's like a rock for me. He molded me into the player that I am today. Those guys played big on Sundays, so it was easy to listen and learn from them. I'm really lucky to have had those two guys interested in me and my football career.
Q: Since you mentioned family, I think I saw a video of the day you got drafted. Your family was as exuberant as you are. Are they getting to enjoy this with you?
A: Oh, yeah! My mom, she works still in Mississippi, but she comes down as much as she can. I have a brother and three sisters. Those are like my best friends. We talk every day, and I definitely think they're enjoying the process as much as me. They're already planning on getting their outfits for the game. They're enjoying it.
Q: Final thought. The word for a young player in this league is extra. The more you can do, the greater your opportunities in this game. So, what's extra for you? What do you do to give yourself an extra advantage as a rookie?
A: I would think the biggest difference between a rookie and a vet is experience. If I can mentally put myself in those games, understanding the concepts, I'm in the film room, I'm taking care of my body, I'm doing all the extra things to be ready for when those moments come. So, the more I can do that and just try to bridge that gap between a rookie and a vet, the better chance I have to be the player I know I can be. Even though I'm a rookie, I want to be a year ahead of my development, so that's kind of where I'm at with it right now.
